Oakland Raiders: a Dream and a Realistic Signing at Positions of Need

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Oct 2, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals strong safety Tony Jefferson (22) high fives fans prior to the game against the Los Angeles Rams at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports. Oakland Raiders /

Taking a look at a dream signing and also a realistic signing for positions of need for the Oakland Raiders.

If you’ve been following along, you know by now that the Oakland Raiders won’t be backing up the brinks trucks in free agency. Their $43M in available cap space is going to disappear rather quickly once you take Derek Carr and Gabe Jackson’s extensions into account, on top of re-signing their own free agents, and then the NFL Draft.

So while it would be nice to land a haul similar to the 2016 free agent class, it’s just not realistic. Expect Reggie McKenzie to be much more conservative this time around.

That’s not to mean that nothing will happen. McKenzie is fantastic with the salary cap, and he’ll surely maneuver around to free up some cash to spend. But the safe bet is that more “under the radar” types of players will be added.

With that being said, let’s take a look at a dream signing and an alternative, more realistic player that could be signed instead.

Dream Signing

Tony Jefferson, S, Arizona Cardinals

If there were one player that the majority of Raider Nation wants to sign this offseason, it’s Tony Jefferson.

The Raiders had interest in him last offseason, but Jefferson ultimately ended up returning to the Cardinals on a one-year deal. Once again on the free agent market, Jefferson has earned himself a hefty payday with another big season.

As one of the best young safeties in the NFL, Jefferson would form quite the safety duo with Karl Joseph. Both players thrive in the box, but Joseph could convert to free safety to make this work.

However, he could command upwards of $10M per season, which would certainly put him out of Oakland’s price range.

Realistic Signing

Dec 11, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA;Tampa Bay Buccaneers free safety Bradley McDougald (30) works out prior to the game against the New Orleans Saints at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Bradley McDougald, S, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The safety free agent market isn’t too bad, but most of the quality players are strong safeties, not free safeties. Karl Joseph is versatile enough to play either position, but if the Raiders wanted to keep him at strong safety, then it makes more sense for them to look to add a free safety to complement him.

Jefferson is the dream signing and Duron Harmon would be next as far as an ideal signing would go, while a player like Bradley McDougald is more realistic.

An undrafted free agent in 2013, McDougald spent his first year with the Chiefs before sticking the last three years in Tampa. He’s coming off a career season, in which he recorded 91 tackles, 10 passes defensed and 2 interceptions.

He’s only 26 years old and could serve as a serviceable starter, if not more.

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