Previewing five players who could be Oakland Raiders free agency options at middle linebacker.

Given the overall inconsistent play in the secondary, the Oakland Raiders are entering the 2016 offseason with glaring needs at both the safety and cornerback position, but GM Reggie McKenzie and company must also look to allocate a portion of their cap space to address the lack of talent at the inside linebacker position.

In 2015, McKenzie signed former New Orleans Saints linebacker Curtis Lofton to a three-year, $18 million contract in hopes of solidifying the middle of the Raiders’ defense. Unfortunately, this wasn’t the case. Lofton, 29, earned a career-low 64 combined tackles and finished the season as PFF’s 94th-ranked linebacker of the 97 eligible.

Oakland turned to rookie inside linebacker Ben Heeney towards the end of the season, and though he flashed at times coming off the edge and in coverage, he still needs to develop his technique as a run defender.

Whether or not Lofton is still on the roster come the start of the 2016 season, Oakland lacks depth at the position and will need to fill those holes with more than just late-round picks in the 2016 NFL draft. With that being said, here is a look at five inside linebackers projected to become unrestricted free agents that could wind up with the Silver and Black in 2016.