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Oakland Raiders: Free Agency Checklist

By Rory Anderson

Jan 3, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Seattle Seahawks linebacker Bruce Irvin (51) dives to tackle Arizona Cardinals wide receiver John Brown (12) in the first half at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Seattle Seahawks linebacker Bruce Irvin (51) dives to tackle Arizona Cardinals wide receiver John Brown (12) in the first half at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 3, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Seattle Seahawks linebacker Bruce Irvin (51) dives to tackle Arizona Cardinals wide receiver John Brown (12) in the first half at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Seattle Seahawks linebacker Bruce Irvin (51) dives to tackle Arizona Cardinals wide receiver John Brown (12) in the first half at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Linebackers

Plan A: Sign either Danny Trevathan/Bruce Irvin

I am putting these two players last because I feel they are the two players that would be good additions to the team, but would also be the least impactful big free agents. This is for multiple reasons, including scheme questions, positional demand, the ability to add talent in the draft.

Specifically to Trevathan, yes he is a quality inside linebacker, but the Raiders are in a position with linebacker where they have several smaller, faster linebackers that could play his position well enough. If you include the depth of this following draft, the difference in his talent and what is there is not enough for me to really demand the Raiders pursue him.

Let us assume the Raiders go to a 3-4 defense or even something closer to a 5-2 defense. In either case, the Raiders have a plethora of guys who would qualify to play inside in that defense. They may not always be ideal, but Ken Norton Jr can mix and match based on situation. Malcolm Smith would be the one player who is in three downs, making Lofton, Ball, and Heeney all rotational, and if the Raiders draft someone he can be added to that group. Moreover, there are rumors that many teams will be in on Trevathan so it may be better to let them use up their time there.

Bruce Irvin is highly athletic and some have talked about moving him inside for a team like the Raiders. I am not opposed to this idea, but I would prefer not to. The issue with Irvin is simple, if the Raiders sign him they will not have the cap to sign Aldon Smith whom they have repeatedly said they see in their long-term plans.

Is it a risk to rely on Aldon? Yes, but he seemingly is changing his life around and as a talent, he is significantly better than Irvin. Lastly and similarly to Trevathan, teams like the Falcons and Jaguars have their crosshairs on him and it would be best to let him go there.

The following contracts are more of projections for what I think each can earn as opposed to what I would pay them.

Contracts

Danny Trevathan: 5 years, 50 million, 20 million guaranteed
Bruce Irvin: 5 years, 60 million, 30 million guaranteed

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