Oakland Raiders: Top 5 Free Agent Defensive Ends

The top five defensive ends that the Oakland Raiders should target via free agency.

When the Oakland Raiders concluded their 2016 season, one thing was very clear. They absolutely needed to improve on all three levels of their defense.

On the season, the Raiders ranked dead last in the NFL in sacks, despite having one of the better edge rushing duo’s in Khalil Mack and Bruce Irvin. A major reason why Oakland finished last in sacks is because they simply could not get consistent pressure from the front-four for the majority of the season.

While it would be nice the Raiders upgrade the secondary and the linebacking core, they can’t forget about the defensive line.

Here are the top five defensive ends the Raiders should consider in free agency.

5. Jabaal Sheard

Jabaal Sheard is one of many New England Patriots defenders that is set to the hit the open market in 2017.

As a veteran, Sheard is still relatively younger than most of the defensive ends that are also free agents. He is set to turn 28 years old in May, which means he is right in the middle of his prime years.

Being able to add someone of Jabaal Sheard’s skill set to the defense would be greatly beneficial to a team that has been amongst the worst in the NFL on this side of the ball the last two seasons.

Last season in New England, Sheard registered 33 tackles and 5 sacks. But what Jabaal did for the Patriots’ defense cannot be measured in stats. Not only did he complement his teammate Chris Long on the opposite side when rushing the quarterback, but he also was stout against the run, and showed discipline in all facets of the game — including pass coverage.

Adding Jabaal Sheard to the roster might be easier said than done, but the shear thought of adding Sheard would add extra depth, and give the Raiders another quality defender.