Oakland has had their fair share of success recently due to their ability to draft very well and bring in good players from free agency. One aspect that often gets overlooked is their ability to bring in good players as undrafted free agents. Every team in the league has a few undrafted players that make their roster. This year, once again, the Raiders can benefit from finding a few diamonds in the rough. There are several undrafted free agents that have a chance to make the Raiders roster.
Undrafted Free Agents That Can Make The Oakland Raiders Roster
Paul Boyette Jr. – Defensive Tackle
As a five-year player for the Texas Longhorns, Paul Boyette Jr. had a solid career. Boyette recorded 100 tackles, 17.0 tackles for loss, and 5.5 sacks during his time in college. Boyette is a very big man, at 6’4″ and 300 pounds, with a knack for making plays in the backfield. Dan Williams is no longer on the roster, and Justin Ellis hasn’t made the impact most expected. Paul Boyette Jr. could find a spot on the inside of the defensive line.
As an undrafted rookie, Boyette will probably just be a rotational piece. He is a player with a lot of potential and room to grow. Oakland doesn’t have a solidified answer for the middle of that defensive line. Boyette can make the team is he shows enough of his ability to stuff the run and makes tackles behind the line of scrimmage. Paul is a player to keep your eye on.
Anthony Cioffi – Safety
Former Rutgers safety Anthony Cioffi can do it all. Cioffi was a cornerback in his first two seasons at Rutgers. In 2015, he was moved to free safety. In 2016, he was moved to strong safety. Anthony Cioffi managed to find success wherever he played. The versatile defensive back recorded 8 career interceptions. Four of those eight came in 2015.
Oakland has some questions in their safety corps. Also, Reggie Nelson isn’t getting any younger. Karl Joseph and Obi Melifonwu will hopefully be the safeties of the future, but depth is needed. Cioffi is a playmaker that always seems to find his way around the ball. He can be a solid contributor to special teams from day one. Plus, he has the potential to develop into much more.
Ishmael Zamora – Wide Receiver
Finally, Ishmael Zamora from Baylor. A video of Zamora abusing his dog surfaced during his time at Baylor. Zamora faced the consequences and there have been no more issues since that incident. Ishmael Zamora is a big bodied receiver, standing at 6’4″, 200 pounds. Zamora’s size and breakout 2016 season at Baylor got him some attention. Ishmael redshirted in 2014, and saw limited action in 2015. Zamora really only has one season of big production.
Andre Holmes is no longer on the team. Also, it’s possible that Zamora can take his place as the tall receiver that gets targets in the red zone. Losing Holmes also hurts special teams. Zamora might have to show skill there if he wants to make the team. Ishmael Zamora is a player with possibly a lot of untapped potential. Oakland could use his skillset if he’s able to develop.
