The Raiders have a little over $38 million in cap space ahead of the 2024 offseason, but that will certainly change once the team moves on from Jimmy Garoppolo. There are some other moves the franchise could make to increase their cap space, especially considering they have several free agents that they will want to retain.
But who could potentially be a target for them in free agency? And which positional groups could use a little bit more juice?
In a recent article by Pro Football Focus, they named one free agent that each team should pursue this offseason. For the Raiders, that was none other than sack artist Josh Uche of the New England Patriots. Here is why they believe he would be a fantastic fit in Las Vegas:
The Raiders ask a lot of Maxx Crosby in terms of workload, and while they added Tyree Wilson with the seventh pick of the 2023 NFL Draft, acquiring another productive pass rusher this offseason would help. Uche earned an 87.8 PFF pass-rushing grade and racked up 56 pressures from 285 pass-rushing snaps in 2022. The Raiders could bring him in as a pass-rushing specialist to give Crosby a breather.
The Raiders got really nice production from Malcolm Koonce down the stretch and they used the No. 7 overall pick on Tyree Wilson just a year ago. Still, Crosby played way too many snaps again this season, and it resulted in him needing multiple surgeries after the year.
In order to prolong Crosby’s career, they have to limit his snaps. And if adding someone like Uche can do that, then this makes all the sense in the world. The Raiders could use more speed at defensive end and Uche certainly can bring that. Look for the Raiders to explore the veteran EDGE options in free agency this offseason.
