Raiders FA preview: Trevathan would provide required LB upgrade

Editor’s note: The Raiders have roughly $74 million in cap space heading into the start of unrestricted free agency. Scott Bair takes a look at how they could fill several areas of need. The first installment examines inside linebackers.

Malcolm Smith played 1,162 defensive snaps last season, far smaller sums with the interior linebacker alongside him. Ray-Ray Armstrong, Curtis Lofton, Ben Heeney and Neiron Ball took their turn helping out, without anyone taking hold of the position against the run or pass.

The Raiders would like to add an interior linebacker to man the middle and, while there are plenty of options in the NFL draft, some veterans would provide improved production and…