Niner Noise
FanSided

The top question facing each NFL team entering 2017

By Peter Panacy

FOXBORO, MA - AUGUST 31: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots reacts before a preseason game with the New York Giants at Gillette Stadium on August 31, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
FOXBORO, MA - AUGUST 31: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots reacts before a preseason game with the New York Giants at Gillette Stadium on August 31, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) /
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OAKLAND, CA – OCTOBER 09: Sean Smith #21 of the Oakland Raiders breaks up a pass intended for Travis Benjamin #12 of the San Diego Chargers during their NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on October 9, 2016 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – OCTOBER 09: Sean Smith #21 of the Oakland Raiders breaks up a pass intended for Travis Benjamin #12 of the San Diego Chargers during their NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on October 9, 2016 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

Oakland Raiders

Will the secondary let the Raiders down this season?

The Oakland Raiders don’t have too many issues to worry about on offense. With potential MVP candidate, quarterback Derek Carr, looking to build on a stellar 2016, the Raiders should be able to put up points in bunches.

Up front on defense, it’s going to be fun watching pas-rushers Khalil Mack and Bruce Irvin execute their trade.

The same can’t be said of Oakland’s secondary, though.

Cornerback Sean Smith was underwhelming last year. Second-year safety Karl Joseph also needs to prove his worth after being drafted in the first round.

This group gave up a ton of yards through the air last season (4,120), and cutting down on this number will be the only way Oakland makes a deep playoff push.