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Oakland Raiders: Analyzing the free agency moves so far

By Matthew Lorscheider

Feb 2, 2016; San Francisco, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie speaks during the Microsoft future of football press conference at Moscone Center in advance of Super Bowl 50 between the Carolina Panthers and the Denver Broncos. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 2, 2016; San Francisco, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie speaks during the Microsoft future of football press conference at Moscone Center in advance of Super Bowl 50 between the Carolina Panthers and the Denver Broncos. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 6, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers free safety Eric Weddle (32) looks across the line during the second quarter against the Denver Broncos at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 6, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers free safety Eric Weddle (32) looks across the line during the second quarter against the Denver Broncos at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /

Missing Pieces

The Raiders free agent haul is of course not complete, as some key pieces that could have been added so far have not been. The organizational preference is, of course, to build through the draft, using veteran free agent acquisitions as placeholders. But some positions may not even have that.

The Raiders released last year’s starting middle linebacker Curtis Lofton after a woefully bad season in which Lofton simply could not do the things in pass coverage needed of a linebacker in Ken Norton’s system. While Ben Heeney and Neiron Ball both showed some promise, neither may be ready to be full-time starting middle linebackers in the NFL yet, and the Raiders could use a capable veteran presence at that position. While no names have yet been floated, former Chargers linebacker Donald Butler and former Buccaneers and Cowboys linebacker Bruce Carter are probably the two best middle linebackers still on the market.

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    • The Raiders also apparently whiffed on signing former Chargers safety Eric Weddle to shore up the safety position after the retirement of Charles Woodson. Weddle chose to go to Baltimore, and the Raiders signed Ravens reserve safety Brynden Trawick, who has mostly been used as a special teamer over the course of his three-year NFL career. Trawick and Nate Allen – who was cut and re-signed for less money because of his lousy 2015 – are the only safeties right now on the Raiders roster as Taylor Mays has gone back to Cincinnati and Larry Asante is exploring free agency. Unfortunately, the safety market just isn’t strong at this point and the Raiders may need to explore options in the draft or re-purpose a cornerback like TJ Carrie.

    The Raiders could also use some more depth at running back, considering that Latavius Murray accounted for 72% of the Raiders’ carries and 73% of the Raiders rushing yards last season. Trent Richardson was a complete bust, as was Roy Helu, and Taiwan Jones is more of a special teams player than a regular running back. There are quite a few options to bolster this position group in free agency, and don’t be surprised if the Raiders add one of them in the coming days.

    Home/Las Vegas Raiders Free Agency