

For as good of an early free agency period as the Oakland Raiders had, the Silver and Black still have some glaring holes, particularly on defense. Inside linebacker is still an area that could be addressed, and the Raiders could use another corner. More than anything, though, Oakland needs a safety. After missing out on Eric Weddle, who opted to sign with the Ravens, the Raiders have been rumored as possible suitors for a few players.

Bengals safety Reggie Nelson is still available and flying under the radar, and Oakland reportedly had interest veteran Arizona safety Rashad Johnson. The Raiders were also supposedly after Cardinals teammate Tony Jefferson, who is a restricted free agent still floating around on the market.

However, SiriusXM NFL's Eddie Borsilli reported over the weekend that Oakland will not be giving an offer sheet to Jefferson. Instead, he said the Raiders will focus on finding safety help in the draft next month.

Now does that mean Oakland won't sign a safety in the next few weeks? Not at all. The longer players like Nelson, for instances, can't find a new employer, the more team friendly their proposed contracts become. Things change, and the Raiders could very well make a push to sign someone.

(What's next in free agency and draft news for the Raiders? Make sure you're in the loop -- take five seconds to sign up for our FREE Raiders newsletter now!)

But there is talent at safety to be found in the draft, and general manager Reggie McKenzie could very well land a star for the middle of that secondary.

Florida State's Jalen Ramsey is the best defensive back in the draft, and unless the Raiders trade up into the top three (not at all likely) he'll be long gone. After that, there's a slight drop off at safety. That's not to say there aren't good options, but there probably won't be anybody worth taking with the 14th overall pick.

With that, here's a quick look at five safeties that could Oakland could grab after Day 1 of the draft.

Vonn Bell, Ohio State

Projected to be a second-round pick by CBS Sports, the 5-foot-11, 199-pound Bell could sneak his way into the first round. He's great in coverage and does a good job of reading and reacting to plays, as evidenced by his eight interceptions during his two seasons as a starter for the Buckeyes. Where Bell lacks as a strong safety is his tackling. Although a willing tackler, he's not an intimidating physical presence, and he hesitates at times while waiting for a ballcarrier to come to him instead of initiating contact. Still, he was a productive college safety who has skills that translate to the next level.

Karl Joseph, West Virginia

Like Bell, Joseph isn't particularly big at 5-foot-10, 205 pounds. However, he plays with as much physicality as any safety in the draft. Projected as a second or third rounder, Joseph is a strong tackler who makes sure the ballcarrier feels it when he hits them. Joseph also proved he had the ball skills to go with his tackling ability, recording five picks in four games in 2015 before a non-contact knee injury ended his season. That injury will be a concern and play a large part in determining where he gets drafted, and Joseph's tendency to play every snap at a million miles an hour also lends to him overpursuing and making mistakes that way. However, the hard-hitting, athletic safety could be a perfect addition for the Raiders, assuming his knee checks out.

Jeremy Cash, Duke

Closer in size to a prototypical NFL strong safety at 6-foot, 212 pounds, Cash put together three straight seasons with 100 or more tackles for the Blue Devils. Last season, he added 18 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles and 2.5 sacks to pick up the ACC Defensive Player of the Year award. Those numbers indicate what Cash was best at for Duke: playing close to the line of scrimmage. According to his CBS Draft profile, though, what NFL scouts really like about Cash is his ability to read and react and his versatility as a cover guy and someone who can support the run. With all of that, he's projected to go in the second round, though a broken wrist that required surgery could potentially hold him back.

Miles Killebrew, Southern Utah

At 6-foot-2, 217 pounds, Killebrew is similar to Cash in that he has good size and is a very willing and physical tackler, totaling a remarkable 243 tackles the last two seasons. Killebrew also has solid play speed, and he possesses the athleticism and fluidity to hold his own in coverage. However, where Killebrew struggles is when it comes to diagnosing plays and reacting appropriately. His speed gives him an advantage in space, but that also forces him to process more and make more quick decisions. Because of that -- and his size -- he's considered a safety/linebacker hybrid who will have a chance to excel in the NFL if used properly.

Darian Thompson, Boise State

While all of the above options project as strong safeties, Thompson is more of a free safety and has actually been reportedly connected to Oakland. Last month, it was reported the Raiders wouldn't let Thompson slide past them if available in the second round. The biggest draw to Thompson is he could be the playmaker Oakland is missing in the middle of the secondary, as he recorded 19 interceptions during his college career, including five picks last season. Considered a third-round prospect by CBS Sports, Thompson has great size at 6-foot-2, 208 pounds and plays faster than his combine performance might indicate. He's not as well-round in coverage -- Thompson struggles when he has to turn and run -- but he has the chance to be a game-changing center fielder who can come up and play the run.

RELATED: Raiders get close look at 2 under-the-radar offensive prospects