Best available free agents that fit the Las Vegas Raiders needs
13. . Offensive Guard. Los Angeles Chargers. Trai Turner. 3. player
Continuing the trend of signing former AFC West foes, the next target on the list is offensive guard Trai Turner. Turner was drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the third round of the 2014 NFL Draft and spent 6 seasons with them, earning a Pro Bowl nod in five straight years from 2015 to 2019.
In a rare player-for-player deal, the Panthers traded Turner to the Chargers in exchange for offensive tackle Russell Okung but he struggled to find that same level of success in Los Angeles. Turner started nine games for the Chargers but was hampered with ankle and groin injuries that had him in and out of the starting lineup.
The Raiders have a massive need at guard if they are unable to convince both Gabe Jackson and Richie Incognito to take pay cuts to stay on the roster in 2021 and Turner would be a great fit. He is still in his prime at 27 and is only one season removed from being a Pro Bowler. His injuries in 2019 are not all that worrisome as it was not a ligament tear or major bone break.
Turner still has the ability to be an impact player on the offensive line and was released as a salary cap move for the Chargers as they look to build around QB Justin Herbert. The Chargers’ loss could be the Raiders’ gain as they also look to build, or rather rebuild, their offensive line to put QB Derek Carr in the best position to succeed.