With the NFL draft conversation beginning to warm up, it’s notable that no projected first-round pick is being linked to the Raiders more than Georgia linebacker Roquan Smith.

The Raiders may very well draft Smith, but according to Raiders insider Joe Arrigo, a significant bump in the road could develop in the form of NaVorro Bowman.

“I’ve been told re-signing NaVorro Bowman is a priority for the Raiders,” Arrigo said on the Las Vegas Raiders Report podcast. “Guenther wants him there, he wants that veteran leadership because that is exactly what that defense lacked last year.”

Historically, Gruden has benefited from veteran inside linebackers and Bowman would certainly fit the mold.

There had been mutterings that the Raiders might not make a strong effort to bring back Bowman, but with Gruden back in saddle, it sounds like Bowman’s chances of coming back are getting a bit of a boost.

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