Las Vegas Raiders: 10 free agent safeties to target
Safety. Baltimore Ravens. Earl Thomas. 9. player. 26.
Speaking of veterans, the next name on this list is an intriguing one that many linked to the Raiders this season. Earl Thomas was released from the Baltimore Ravens after an incident during training camp, and it came as a surprise that the season ended without him signing with another team.
Perhaps the negativity around Thomas was too much in a season that already had its fair share of distractions, but he is still out there and is relatively young at 31 years old. Thomas is just a year removed from a Pro Bowl season in 2019, and he could be a leader for a young Raiders defense.
His antics with Baltimore may undermine his credibility but he still has an incredible resume and a Super Bowl ring to rally the troops around him.
The Raiders have always loved reclamation projects and Thomas could be the latest in a long line of veterans who had a second act with the Silver and Black after being discarded by other teams. The risk could be high in that he causes a ruckus in the locker room but Thomas may be humbled by his experience in 2020 and could be ready to come back strong.
Gruden has rolled the dice with guys like Antonio Brown and Martavis Bryant, unsuccessfully of course, but maybe the third time is the charm if they bring in Earl Thomas. If it does not work out then we can all just move on and Thomas will likely be calling it a career.