Here’s today’s story from Cam Inman, who is handling Combine duties for our paper this week in Indy.

INDIANAPOLIS – Coach Jack Del Rio says the Raiders’ No. 1 goal remains to win the AFC West, and to do so they’ll have to unseat the reigning Super Bowl champions, the Denver Broncos.

“I think it’s realistic for us,” Del Rio said Wednesday at the NFL scouting combine. “I thought it was realistic for us last year to pursue that goal. It’s all about the work we put in, coming together as a team.

“We laid a real nice foundation last year. We established a winning culture. We expect to go into games to be competitive and win games.”

The Raiders went 7-9 in Del Rio’s first season, including a 15-12 win at Denver on Dec. 13 that could give the Raiders confidence for 2016 success.

“It helps you realize this isn’t something that’s so far away,” Del Rio said. “We were the (second-to-last) team to beat them in the fall. Our guys should understand that.

“It’s not like we’re talking about making it to Mars. But it’s also a lot of work.”

Much of that work comes on reshaping the roster. Whereas the Raiders focused on upgrading their wide receiver and tight ends units last year, Del Rio made no secret about this year’s primary needs revolve around defense.

“Our secondary is going to be attacked this offseason with talent,” Del Rio said. “Guys that are there are going to have to compete. We’re going to be a more physical secondary next year. We’re going to tackle better. We’re going to play better and be a better defense. That has to happen.”

Del Rio wouldn’t comment about where injured players are in their recoveries, including defensive lineman Mario Edwards Jr., who is coming off a season-ending neck injury.

Del Rio also declined to weigh in on left tackle Donald Penn’s bid for a new contract prior to free agency, though he did say the veteran wasn’t out of line by recently voicing his displeasure about having to wait out a new deal.

Quarterback Derek Carr and linebacker Khalil Mack did, however, earn repeated kudos from Del Rio as they’re rounding into cornerstones on their respective sides of the ball.

“Two really talented guys, off to a great start in their careers,” Del Rio said. “They’re great kids, they’re team-first guys, they’re hard workers. They’re both very talented. The key is to apply yourself, continue to develop your skills.”

Del Rio called it a “challenge” that the Raiders will play one of their home games in Mexico City (Nov. 21 against the Houston Texans). As for playing the rest of their home games in Oakland, that’s just fine with Del Rio, following the failed attempt to relocate this year to Los Angeles.

“Obviously some things transpired,” Del Rio said of the Rams and Chargers winning first rights to relocate. “The reality is Mark (Davis) would prefer to be in Oakland. He’s maintained that.

“I know there are other things that have to be looked at from a business standpoint. For me, I’m from that area, I’m excited to be coaching the team, I’m looking forward to coaching the team and hopefully the future will be resolved shortly.”