Free agents that address the Oakland Raiders needs
Safety
Landon Collins
Versatile players in the NFL are priceless commodities. It’s why the Raiders should pony up when it comes to courting New York Giants safety Landon Collins. The former Alabama player is coming off of a down year last season, but that shouldn’t derail any team’s interest in him. Collins is an elite safety that no receiver wants to cross.
If he’s tasked with playing a deep third or half he can handle it. If it’s to come up and play the run he does it efficiently. Imagine him and Karl Joseph playing in the outfield. That’s a stalwart duo that can make a bunch of highlights.
Ha Ha Clinton-Dix
Karl Joseph plays the hybrid safety role for the Raiders, so the team will be ideally looking for a coverage safety. Look no further than Washington Redskins safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix. He’s also a former Alabama player. Notice the trend here? Clinton-Dix played arguably his best ball after being trade from the Green Bay Packers to Washington.
Pro Football Focus had him graded out at 79.3, which is ranked 14th among safeties. Clinton-Dix has maintained a consistent level of play. He finally made some major strides last season. That makes him an attractive signing because he’s finally scratching the surface. Turnovers are going to be staple if the Raiders can seal the deal with Clinton-Dix.
George Iloka
George Iloka was a nonfactor with the Minnesota Vikings. From being an anchor at safety with the Cincinnati Bengals to being a irrelevant with 118 snaps. Make no mistake, George Iloka can still play. The Vikings just had an over-saturation of talent at the safety position. Iloka has the talent to be a solid starting safety, but his most ideal setting would be the starting safety of the Oakland Raiders.
Iloka was a starter under defensive coordinator Paul Guenther during their years in Cincinnati. There is no better safety out there that will immediately fit under Guenther and play at a high level. Iloka will definitely be an overlooked free agent given the great market of safeties. That gives the Raiders the edge to swoop in on this hidden talent.