5 Unrestricted Free Agents the Oakland Raiders should let walk

HOUSTON, TX - OCTOBER 27: Head coach Jon Gruden of the Oakland Raiders yells at the officials during a game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on October 27, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - OCTOBER 27: Head coach Jon Gruden of the Oakland Raiders yells at the officials during a game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on October 27, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
5 of 6
SEATTLE, WA – AUGUST 29: Running back C.J. Prosise #22 of the Seattle Seahawks is tackled by defensive end Josh Mauro #97 of the Oakland Raiders during the preseason game at CenturyLink Field on August 29, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA – AUGUST 29: Running back C.J. Prosise #22 of the Seattle Seahawks is tackled by defensive end Josh Mauro #97 of the Oakland Raiders during the preseason game at CenturyLink Field on August 29, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Josh Mauro

When the Raiders signed Josh Mauro, the intention was for him to improve the team’s run defense. While there is a discernible difference between last season and this one, the defensive lineman is a small piece of the defense’s improvement against the ground game.

The journeyman has two tackles for loss on the year, has barely seen the field recently, and has one of the worst PFF run-defense grades among edge defenders.

With such a pass-happy league, it’s hard to keep a defensive lineman on the roster who is very limited as a pass-rusher. Especially when number four overall pick, Clelin Ferrell, appears to be the run defender of the future.

Letting Mauro walk will give more reps to players like Ferrell, Crosby, and any other young lineman the team brings in.

Schedule