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Will LB Ben Heeney play a major role for Raiders this season?

Editor’s note: Insider Scott Bair will analyze each position group leading up to Raiders training camp, which starts on July 29.

The Raiders addressed several positions of need this offseason in free agency and the draft, from cornerback to safety to the offensive and defensive line. The essentially left the interior linebackers alone.

That showed faith in their returners, including mainstay Malcolm Smith and 2015 fifth-round draft picks Ben Heeney and Neiron Ball. Smith should lead this small but vital group, charged with stopping plays at the second level while covering wide open spaces.