The Las Vegas Raiders had a busy time yesterday, as did most of the league. Now that the dust has settled, the team can start to look for help in plugging in their holes. For the Raiders, there are a few concerns regarding their roster.
They could definitely use a cornerback, preferably a proven, reliable veteran. Trayvon Mullen’s trade came as a shock to many. However, his health has been a concern. Simply put, he hasn’t been able to stay healthy despite showing signs of promise.
The other obvious need, at least to those who are familiar with the team, continues to be the offensive line. Last season, the Raiders’ O-line was one of the worst in the league. In spite of that, the team still carried themselves into the postseason. There have certainly been some positive developments with regard to the unit. Lester Cotton Sr. and Thayer Munford Jr. stood out during training camp and the preseason, for example.
They obviously impressed enough that the team was comfortable with letting go of Alex Leatherwood outright. In fact, the Raiders are paying him nearly $8 million to not play for them this season.
So, who can they go after? Well, as far as the waiver wire, it can get somewhat complicated. According to Pro Football Network, the Raiders are 23rd in the order of being able to claim a player. The order is determined by last year’s records. For example, the Jacksonville Jaguars had the worst record, so they got first dibs. It’s important to keep in mind that a determining factor in a player’s eligibility is whether they’re a veteran or not; that’s defined by their tenure. If you’ve played more than four seasons, you’re a vet.
So, looking ahead, there are a few players on the wire that could help the Raiders. Perhaps, they get lucky, and they get the chance to claim some of them, one, maybe two.