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Oakland Raiders: Top 5 Free Agent Defensive Ends

By Gagan Aujla

Oct 23, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals defensive end Calais Campbell (93) looks on after tieing the Seattle Seahawks 6-6 in overtime at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 23, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals defensive end Calais Campbell (93) looks on after tieing the Seattle Seahawks 6-6 in overtime at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 5, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; New England Patriots defensive end Chris Long (95) against the Atlanta Falcons during Super Bowl LI at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 5, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; New England Patriots defensive end Chris Long (95) against the Atlanta Falcons during Super Bowl LI at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Chris Long

Here we go again. Chris Long has hit free agency after helping the New England Patriots win Super Bowl LI. For the 2016 season, Long had 35 tackles, 4 sacks, and 1 forced fumble.

What makes Long such a wanted player amongst Raider Nation would have to be because of a certain Raiders legend who goes by the name of Howie Long.

As most know, Chris would happen to be Howie’s son, which automatically makes Chris a Raider at heart. It would be nice to see Chris don the Silver and Black for a year or two. Not only because he would carry out his father’s legacy, but because he is actually a decent player.

Long is a bit older, who will be turning 32 later this month, but he is another defensive end who could come at an affordable price. Getting Long to finish his NFL career with the Raiders on a two-year deal would be pretty cool. Then again, it could just be another fantasy for Raiders fans.

Oct 23, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals defensive end Calais Campbell (93) looks on after tieing the Seattle Seahawks 6-6 in overtime at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 23, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals defensive end Calais Campbell (93) looks on after tieing the Seattle Seahawks 6-6 in overtime at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Calais Campbell

By far, one of the most intriguing names on the open market would be Calais Campbell. In 2016, Campbell had 53 tackles, 8 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 3 fumble recoveries, 1 interception returned for a touchdown, and 6 passes defensed, which earned him a 2nd team All-Pro selection.

Campbell has been linked to the Raiders a few times, and it has caught the national media’s attention. NFL Network’s own Greg Rosenthal said that the addition of Calais Campbell would make the Raiders an instant Super Bowl contender, and could be the missing piece to the Raiders defense.

It appears that Rosenthal isn’t the only one who thinks this fondly of Campbell. Just the other day, Raiders twitter was reunited with “Baby Reggie.”

“Baby Reggie” took to Twitter and was vocal in his efforts in recruiting Calais Campbell as well as Dont’a Hightower.

Whether the recruiting efforts work or not remains to be seen. Regardless, Raider Nation appreciates the effort “Baby Reggie” puts forward in helping to recruit talent to the East Bay.

Adding someone of Calais Campbell’s magnitude would most definitely help, but it would have to come at a more affordable price. Spotrac has Campbell’s market value at $8.3 million. That seems a bit steep for a defensive end who will be turning 31 years old before the season begins.

Must Read: Detailed Cap Projection

Nonetheless, signing Campbell to a team friendly two-year deal would do wonders for the defensive line. Who knows, maybe Calais Campbell is the final piece that will help catapult the Raiders to the Super Bowl.

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