Oakland Raiders: Five More Free Agent Targets McKenzie Should Pursue

Jan 11, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos free safety Rahim Moore (26) intercepts a pass intended for Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Donte Moncrief (10) during the third quarter in the 2014 AFC Divisional playoff football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

2. Rahim Moore

Safety Rahim Moore is another former Denver defender who spent the past three years in Jack Del Rio’s system. A former 2nd round pick out of UCLA in the 2011 draft, Moore is one of the best safeties on the market this year, and just turned 25 a week ago. Moore has been getting quality playing time since his rookie season, and has started 48 out of 57 possible regular season games, as well as starting two playoff games, though an injury sidelined him for the Broncos’ 2013 Super Bowl run.

Moore is a quality young safety who knows Del Rio’s system, and though he will likely have some value and interest on the market, he is not considered an elite player and will likely not garner the type of money that the Eric Weddles and Devin McCourty’s of the league make. The market in him is likely to be somewhere in the $5M – $6M per year range, and he could very well grow into a top-tier starter at the position over the course of the next two or three seasons.

Moore of course would likely not start ahead of Charles Woodson, but the two may not be in direct competition anyway. With some major question marks at the strong safety spot, and with Del Rio being willing to use a lot more 2-deep safety cover schemes, the two could conceivably start on the field together, or could both see significant use as situational safeties. With Woodson likely playing his last season in 2015, signing Moore now to a long term deal would lock up the future of the free safety position down the road, while giving the team some very good depth at safety for this season, especially if Tyvon Branch can return to form for a full 16 games.

Moore, at 6’1″ and about 195 pounds, has good size for the position and adequate speed for a zone safety. He has logged eight interceptions for his career, including four last season, and is also a willing tackler, though he lacks the frame to really mix it up in run support like a typical strong safety would. He has strong ball skills, knows his coverage responsibilities well, and importantly has spent three years already in Del Rio’s defensive system. Another really valuable potential signing.

Next: Target #3: Byron Maxwell