Oakland Raiders Free Agency Preview: Five Must Sign Players
By Austin Gayle
Eric Weddle
As you likely already know, the Oakland Raiders have obvious needs at the safety position. Chargers safety Eric Weddle is a name that has constantly been connected to Oakland this offseason, and with Kansas City Chiefs safety Eric Berry recently receiving the franchise tag, Weddle is easily Oakland’s next best option.
Though the Raiders would like to steer away from leaning on short-term solutions in free agency, Weddle is still considered a starting caliber safety in this league. JustBlogBaby.com Staff Writer Nick Hjeltness has previously mentioned that Weddle still has an opportunity to prove he can play at a high level even this late in his career.
“Having just turned 31 in January, Weddle still has plenty of good football left ahead of him,” Hjeltness said. “Especially for the position that he plays, many safeties remain very productive into their mid 30’s. So while the notion that his best years are behind him may be true, it also doesn’t mean that he doesn’t have several really good years left either.”
Though he struggled to make an impact in run support with San Diego in 2015, Weddle still put together an above-average season in terms of coverage.
According to PFF.com, Weddle earned the second-highest coverage grade among all NFL safeties in 2015, less than a point behind Woodson at No. 1.
With Charles Woodson retiring, Weddle would start alongside either Travis Carrie or Nate Allen at free safety. Yes, there are some younger options that could thrive in a long-term deal with Oakland (e.g. George Iloka, Rodney McLeod), but Weddle still is the most talented safety in this free agent class.
Next: Five Must Sign Free Agents