Free agency is just days away and the Oakland Raiders are expected to be one of the most active teams. With well over $70 million in cap space and more than 30 free agents of their own, the Raiders are going to have a busy next month. With that in mind, here are 10 free agents the Raiders must sign this offseason.
10. LB Deone Bucannon
The Raiders are in need of linebackers and should explore every avenue possible to solve that need. That means they should be willing to take risks in free agency. One player that would make sense for Oakland is Cardinals linebacker Deone Bucannon.
Bucannon has fallen out of favor in Arizona, but we have seen his potential on full display. He is one of the most athletic linebackers in the league and would give the Raiders the speed they disparity lack at the position.
9. DT Jonathan Hankins
The Raiders likely have their starting defensive tackles on the roster in Maurice Hurst and P.J. Hall. However, they need to continue to add depth to the position. Last season, veteran Jonathan Hankins provided excellent insurance for the Raiders, playing 573 snaps for the team.
Hankins is outstanding as a run defender last season and makes a lot of sense as the team’s third defensive tackle. He shouldn’t cost much, but he would be an outstanding signing for the Raiders once again this season.
8. WR Cole Beasley
Unfortunately for the Raiders, this free agent class lacks top-end talent. There isn’t a No.1 wide receiver available for the team to have interest in. However, there are some players available that could make this Raiders’ passing offense significantly better. One such name is Cole Beasley from the Dallas Cowboys.
Beasley is a slot receiver, but he is arguably the best in the league operating inside. Given that the Raiders’ lack overall talent at the receiver position, Beasley would be a welcomed addition to the Silver and Black.
7. DE Shane Ray
It is no secret that the Raiders biggest need this offseason is finding a pass-rush. While there will be some big names available in free agency, the expectations are that most of the best pass-rushers will return to their original teams, leaving the cupboard rather empty for the Raiders.
However, there could be some under-the-radar names available that could be of interest to the Raiders. One example is Shane Ray of the Denver Broncos. Ray is a former first-round pick of the Broncos but never was able to live up to his pre-draft hype.
A change of scenery might not be the worst thing for Ray as he has been in the shadow of Von Miller throughout his career. He could prove to be quite the signing if given more snaps.
6. CB Ronald Darby
One of the best things that happened for the Raiders in the 2018 season was that second-year player Gareon Conley developed into a top-flight cornerback. However, now the Raiders have a new challenge ahead of them: finding a suitable complement to Conley.
Luckily for the Raiders, the 2019 free agent class is deep at the cornerback position. One of the best cornerbacks on the market is Ronald Darby, who is recovering from a torn ACL.
When healthy, Darby is arguably one of the best cornerbacks in the league and would pair well with Conley in Oakland. If the Raiders are confident Darby can get healthy, they could get a steal here in free agency.
5. KR/PR Dwayne Harris
One of the most underrated players on the Raiders’ roster in 2018 was special teams demon Dwayne Harris. While he doesn’t offer much as a receiver, Harris is one of the best return men in the league and can double as a gunner on punt return coverage.
In 2018, Harris averaged 14.1 yards per punt return with a 99-yard touchdown in Week 16 against the Broncos. Expect special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia to push for the team to sign his best player.
4. LB Kwon Alexander
The Raiders would be wise to take multiple chances on linebackers in free agency. But if they are going to spend money on the position, they might as well try to get the best linebacker on the market. That player is none other than Kwon Alexander of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
At just 24 years old, Alexander has proved to be one of the best playmakers at the position. In 46 starts, he has totaled 271 solo tackles, 31 tackles for a loss and six interceptions. While he has struggled to stay on the field over the last two years, his upside is incredible. Alexander would solve one of the Raiders’ biggest needs entering the 2019 season.
3. RB Jalen Richard
While Jalen Richard isn’t an unrestricted free agent, the Raiders will need to give him a tender this offseason as he is set to become a restricted free agent.
Richard will never become a full-time player, but he is very good at his role. In 2018, he set career highs in receptions and receiving yards as he was targeted 81 times. Richard is an integral part of Jon Gruden’s offense and will likely be back in 2019.
2. TE Jared Cook
Not much went right for the Raiders offense in 2018. However, tight end Jared Cook was one of the bright spots, setting career highs across the board. Cook was also good enough for Oakland to appear in the first Pro Bowl of his career after catching 68 passes for 896 yards and six touchdowns. Cook averaged the second-highest yards per catch of his career at 13.2. He was easily the team’s most explosive player on offense in 2018.
Cook is expected to be one of the most sought-after free agents on the market, but the Raiders would be wise to re-sign their top offensive weapon. He’s too good of a player to let leave.
1. RB Marshawn Lynch
Marshawn Lynch is the heart and soul of the Raiders’ roster. Now that the team appears to be set to play in Oakland one more season, the odds of Lynch returning seem to have increased. While Lynch might not be as dynamic as he once was, he is still a productive player who can help this team win games.
Since joining the team, Lynch has rushed for 1,267 yards and 10 touchdowns, while averaging 4.3 yards per carry. He likely won’t cost much, but his importance to this team is invaluable.
