2008 RECORD: 5-11

LAST SEASON: Season got off to tumultuous start with feud between Lane Kiffin and owner Al Davis leading to coach's firing after four games. Interim coach Tom Cable finished strong with wins over Houston and Tampa Bay to earn full-time job for this season.

THEY NEED: More help for young QB JaMarcus Russell. Oakland didn't have a single wide receiver with more than 22 catches and got inconsistent play at both tackle positions to hinder Russell's development. Defensive line once again struggled against run.

THEY DON'T NEED: After using first-round picks on Russell and RB Darren McFadden last two years, those positions are safe. TE Zach Miller is an emerging star and cornerback spot is solid with All-Pro Nnamdi Asomugha and Chris Johnson.

POSSIBLE FIRST PICK: Crabtree, DT B.J. Raji, Andre Smith, OT Michael Oher.

OUTLOOK: Strong finish to last season and dysfunction around the division provide reason for optimism. But it will take a lot to reverse a six-year run of ineptitude in which Raiders have won league-low 24 games and become only team in league history to lose at least 11 games in six straight seasons.