Jan 11, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos tight end Julius Thomas (80) against the Indianapolis Colts in the 2014 AFC Divisional playoff football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Colts defeated the Broncos 24-13. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
It is no secret that the Oakland Raiders are going to be very active players in 2015 NFL Free Agency with the most cap space and some added pieces in place from the 2014 Draft that have them in a position to make a move to contention in the AFC if they can lure top talent to the Bay Area.
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That was a problem during the 2014 Free Agency period where Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie couldn’t convince the likes of Desean Jackson and Jared Allen to come to Oakland despite having sizeable cap space to work with. However in 2015 there appears to be a top free agent who may just be willing to make a move from the Denver Broncos to the Silver and Black if the price is right.
Broncos (Donkeys) tight end Julius Thomas conducted an interview with 95.7 The Game in the and had an interesting comment on potentially playing for the Raiders next season in which he revealed that he grew up cheering for the Raiders and that signing with the team is “a possibility” in 2015 should Reggie McKenzie be interested in signing the talented pass catcher.
.@Julius_Thomas says becoming a #Raiders TE next season is a possibility. He'll wait and see if they reach out. Grew up a Raiders fan.
— 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) January 26, 2015
It would be wise for Reggie McKenzie to kick the tires on Thomas come the opening of the free agency period as the veteran could significantly add to the depth at the tight end position in Oakland. Young TE Mychal Rivera is a potential star in the making, but a second option at the position would give the Raiders the options they need to really utilize their tight ends going forward as Thomas is going to be the best player available at the position.
Nobody knows the weight of Thomas’ interest in coming to Oakland, but the fact that he is willing to say that he could be open to the possibility is an intriguing storyline as the free agency period nears. The Broncos are very likely to let Thomas walk unless he takes a hometown discount, so there is a solid chance that he does hit the open market this offseason. Or this all could be a smart leverage ploy with the Broncos to put the fear in John Elway that if he doesn’t lock up his services that Thomas would take his talents inside the AFC West to Oakland.
Nobody knows, but it is definitely a positive that a top free agent is entertaining the idea of making a move to Oakland, something that definitely did not happen in 2014 when McKenzie was forced to settle on second tier free agents following the first wave of players passing on the franchise. If McKenzie can lock up players like Thomas for the right place, the Raiders will be that closer to competing for the playoffs with added talent in Oakland.