Oakland Raiders: Free Agency Spending Plan

Dec 14, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; Denver Broncos tight end Julius Thomas (80) hauls in a 30-yard pass from quarterback Payton Manning (not pictured) over San Diego Chargers free safety Eric Weddle (32) during first quarter action at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

Julius Thomas

If the Raiders are going to run a “no huddle” offense which has been reported as their intent, then they will need a game changing reciever. Spread offenses are designed to take advantage of newly created mismatches and by thining out the box you keep less reliance on your tight end to need to make a huge block. Instead he can merely be an adequate blocker because he is taking on smaller linebackers and defensive backs.

With this in mind, the best tight end available for the Raiders is Thomas. He can be a 80 catch receiver, and the Broncos will have a hard time holding onto him even with a tag thanks to Jimmy Graham’s contract. Musgrave loves to get his tight ends involved and from the shotgun Carr will be able to see his target in any traffic. To me, this is the one offensive “must get” for the Raiders. Plus, he grew up a Raider.

Contract: 5 years $55 million, $22 million fully guaranteed. Records for tight end contracts. Tops Graham average by a million.

Next: FA Targets: Torrey Smith, Rodney Hudson