Oakland Raiders Free Agency Period Preview

Sep 7, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Cole Beasley (11) tries to avoid the tackle of San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker Michael Wilhoite (57) at AT&T Stadium. San Francisco beat Dallas 28-17. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

The Raiders should really jump over the fence and raid the backyard of the San Francisco 49ers this offeason. Inside linebacker Michael Wilhoite stepped in for Navarro Bowman and Patrick Willis and the 49ers defense didn’t miss a beat. He’s going to be a free agent this offseason and rumor has it that 49ers assistant Eric Mangini is a candidate be defensive coordinator in Oakland.

I wanted Fangio but he’s with the Chicago Bears now but at least Mangini is a 3-4 type of guy. It was also reported that Del Rio originally wanted Mike Smith, former head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, but looks like he struck out there. So that makes Mangini the most likely name out there for the Raiders to add to their coaching staff.

This is important because Whilhoite is a 3-4 inside linebacker as he was the quarterback of it this past year. If you bring a guy like him in with someone like Rey Maualuga or Rolando McClain, that would make the Raiders’ 3-4 defense tough against the run. Wilhoite is nice with his in coverage too so he won’t have to come off the field.

Next: Suh Should be Raiders Top Target