Following every season there is going to be holes on every NFL team. The Oakland Raiders biggest areas of weakness is at the inside linebacker, safety, corner, and tackle positions. Oakland’s defense absolutely got exposed in 2016 whether it was from a lack of talent or dysfunctional scheme or a mix of both. The Raiders cannot go into 2017 without significant additions to their defense and think they are going to compete for a Super Bowl. Oakland will need to obviously address all of their issues in both free agency and the NFL Draft but here are the top free agents for the Raiders to target heading into the 2017 offseason.
Top Free Agents for The Oakland Raiders to Target
Eric Berry
Pipe Dream? Yes. Could it happen? Also yes. Should Eric Berry hit free agency without a suitable long-term contract from the Kansas City Chiefs, he would be the absolute price of free agency. Berry is a super star with all the physical traits and intangibles you need from the deep spot. He can cover tight ends, he can lay centerfield, he can stop the run, heck, he could probably play inside linebacker if you wanted him too, he is that talented as a football player. So how does he end up on the Raiders? Kansas City for whatever reason has been apprehensive in shelling out a big deal to their biggest star and franchise tagged him last year, which Berry was reportedly very upset about. Should the Chiefs lowball arguably the best safety in football this year, don’t be surprised if Berry wants to see other people. Why it won’t happen? Oakland’s Derek Carr is set to make a lot of money this offseason and next year so will Khalil Mack, the question is will the Raiders have enough cap to make all three super stars happy? Probably not, but anytime a safety that can single handily turn your defense into a top ten unit comes available, you come a courting.
Ricky Wagner
Another year, another Baltimore Ravens offensive lineman stolen by the Raiders. If the Raiders go after Baltimore’s right tackle, this could become one of those things that happen by chance that big networks turn into a larger narrative. All kidding aside, Ricky Wagner has given quality consistent tackle play all four years since his introduction to the NFL. He’s a bog man standing in at 6’6’’ and weighing 310 pounds so he fits Reggie McKenzie’s MO at the offensive line position. Consistently good tackle play is hard to find in the NFL and even harder to find coming straight out of college. Wagner would be an immediate upgrade at the right tackle position and complete an offensive line that is on its way to becoming a dominant force.
Jamie Collins
If you’re looking up what a risk versus reward football player is in the NFL dictionary, you’ll find a picture of Jamie Collins a detailed synopsis of his NFL career. Early in his career in New England, Collins was a freak that could cover tight ends and running backs, rush the passer as a blitzer or with his hand in the dirt and was an absolute monster against the run. The kind of player you build a defense around, not trade away for a third round pick, which is what the Patriots did. Collins time in Cleveland was largely unremarkable and his production does not seem to match up with his ability. Rumors spread that he is an undisciplined and unmotivated player that would need a strong locker room and no-nonsense head coach. Is Jack Del Rio that coach? Maybe. But McKenzie should at least check the tires on a talent like this.
Calais Campbell
When discussing what makes edge rushers most effective you’ll hear the term interior pressure come up quite often. If you need some examples of that look no further than Calais Campbell. Yes, he is thirty, but he is still a force at the line of scrimmage as he had 8.0 sacks this season with six batted passes and over 50 tackles. The man can still play. He is also an intelligent, well-spoken leader who could be a vital piece in turning the Raiders defense around. Of all the free agents on the market Campbell could and should be the Raiders biggest target as he would be a perfect locker room fit and one heck of a player.
Alshon Jeffery
Alshon Jeffery did not have the kind of season you want to have coming into a contract year. Bad quarterback play and an ill-timed suspension caused his numbers to stay well below what he is capable of following an injury plagued season last year. While this is probably the least likely to happen since it doesn’t make sense to have three wide outs making big time money, this is a list of whom the Raiders should target. Jeffery could come in right away and either play outside and give Carr an elite boundary receiver and move Cooper to the slot more predominantly or give the Raiders a big slot receiver and a monster who can dominate the middle of the field with his size, speed and hands. The number one concern for the Raiders offense was dropped passes as they lead the league in drops and really hurt the Raiders offense. Jeffery doesn’t drop passes often and good luck having your slot defender cover that big of a target. Raiders offense would be approaching unstoppable levels by adding another playmaker at the receiver position.
