2021 Free Agency

[JarrodR86]

1 hour ago, NYRaider said:

Doubtful they seem like they'll be finalizing a trade for Russell Wilson sooner rather than later. Most sports books took off Russell Wilson to Chicago prop bets a couple of days ago and the Bears Super Bowl odds have gotten a lot better in the last few days as well. 

I also don’t see Seattle taking a 39 mil dead cap hit by trading Wilson and Pete Carroll going full rebuild mode as an aging coach

[NYRaider]

8 minutes ago, JarrodR86 said:

I also don’t see Seattle taking a 39 mil dead cap hit by trading Wilson and Pete Carroll going full rebuild mode as an aging coach

Based on recent reports it seems like Russell's relationship with Seattle is damaged beyond repair. When big sports bookies are removing Wilson to Chicago prop bets and their Super Bowl odds just got better, I think that's a pretty clear indication with how Vegas is feeling about the situation. 

Seattle wouldn't necessarily go full rebuild mode though. They could pursue a FA QB like Alex Smith, Jameis Winston, or Ryan Fitzpatrick as a place holder. They could also use their newly acquired draft capital to move up in the draft for a QB.

[Darbsk]

On 3/12/2021 at 5:39 PM, Blazer026 said:

Speaking of slot CB’s, I wonder if we move Arnette inside, or sign a slot CB. Amik only played 35 snaps last year and got burnt a few times. Not confident going with him yet. 

In my not so popular opinion, Nevin Lawson is a fine slot corner and he'll be very cap friendly, so I'd re-sign and start him with Robertson a better backup this year after getting more camp time. He possibly struggled last year because he was moving inside as a rookie in the Covid hit camp and may be much easier for him this year.

[MrOaktown_56]

56 minutes ago, Darbsk said:

In my not so popular opinion, Nevin Lawson is a fine slot corner and he'll be very cap friendly, so I'd re-sign and start him with Robertson a better backup this year after getting more camp time. He possibly struggled last year because he was moving inside as a rookie in the Covid hit camp and may be much easier for him this year.

Lawson was serviceable, but we should try to upgrade a vet. If we bring him in though no complaints.

[Darbsk]

On 3/13/2021 at 2:24 AM, Jeremy408 said:

Again I actually understand your frustration because I’ve been a raider fan and had to experience the same thing for the last 20 years so I know where a lot of the frustration comes from because I’ve experienced the same thing. You get to a point where anything short of playoffs and the mentality is as if we were a bottom five team. Because in reality that’s what it feels like. To be honest it’s where the whole trade for Russell Wilson or Deshaun Watson idea comes into play. People just want to win. People just want to see results.
 

Like I said earlier in the three years that Gruden i and mayock have been leading the team, there are a few things that I actually fault them for. A lot of it again is circumstantial. But the key things that are very problematic would be last year’s drafting of players on the prospects that they would switch positions in a year where there was no off-season to do so. The signing of Carl Nassib was also really bad. And then Gruden hiring Paul Gunther as a defense of coordinator investing in whatever it was that his “system” was and waiting 2 1/2 seasons to fire him. everything else I can see why the decisions were made.

Meanwhile there are a lot of good things happening. 

1.We know who our franchise quarterback is(which you can’t say for half of the league)

2.we have a top 10 offense with impact players at running back tight end and left tackle 

3.We have a strong passing attack and a strong running game

4. We beat some really playoff football teams last year(Something that didn’t happen even in 2016 when we went 12-4 against del rio)

The reality is our defense didn’t show up and it cost us games that if they were slightly better we would’ve won three more games and being 11-5 

While our defense did horribly last year we’ve brought in a DC that 

A. Actually had success in this league on different teams and

B. Has had to build defenses from scratch

C. Has had success with young players which we have plenty of

Realistically we’re in a place where if we improve our pass rush(primarily inside But we can also use a pass rush specialist) and we get a free safety that actually fits the cover 3 scheme, we should be exponentially better.

This is a good post and whilst I'm not naïve and think a few FA or rookie players will turn us into a top D, I think a good to very good FS (a much underrated position) and a good to very good pass rushing DT would do absolute wonders to this team combined with even an average DC. I think we have the latter in Bradley. 

[Darbsk]

18 hours ago, Totty said:

@agarcia34 We don't always agree on everything but... This is the year you do something like this.  We have proven that we cannot draft well, so go get that proven commodity at your most glaring need.  I would like to think Hunter would come in and immediately make an impact.  I would do it for 17th pick and a new contract...

The draft doesn't have a rusher that at 17 looks like a good deal.  Paye has question marks, Olujari stock seems to be falling, Ossai has been said to be a second round grade, and Oweh the same.  Phillips is the only one that has been said to be a top five guy and if I am not mistaken he is coming off an injury, dropping his stock.  

This years draft is looking to have talent laden in the 2nd round at our second most pressing need DT.  Levi, Davyion, Jay, etc.  One should fall to the 48th pick if we trade for Hunter with 17.  He is young, will still be 26 week one.  

 

Also, at 17 you could even ask for a late round pick back IMO.  I do this trade 8 days a week.

Pending medicals of course.    

 

 

Hunter, if fit would be a boon no doubt, but I actually think DT us our #1 need. I'm one of the few possibly that thinks Ferrell is a good player and about to break out and Crosby is a decent pass rusher and that the problem is not on the edges but up the gut where the QB can simply step up and avoid the pressure. We maybe need a speed rusher to compliment Ferrell and Crosby but a disruptive DT would help everyone. I would hate to throw 20mil at Hunter and not make a huge effort at DT only for us to again be wondering why he didn't have the same impact next year

[NYRaider]

5 hours ago, MrOaktown_56 said:

Lawson was serviceable, but we should try to upgrade a vet. If we bring him in though no complaints.

Yeah Lawson is okay but I'd rather bring in some new blood. In reality though we're going to need the guys we spent early picks on (Mullen/Arnette) to step it up big time this season.

[agarcia34]

Lawson gotta go! I’m pretty confident he won’t be back. 
 

24 hours till the craziness begins 

[NYRaider]

48 minutes ago, agarcia34 said:

24 hours till the craziness begins 

So at 4:00 PM EST teams can start to negotiate/announce free agent deals but they can't be made official until March 17, right? 

[oakdb36]

 

[oakdb36]

 

[NYRaider]

With free agency 24 hours away I just pray that we don't sign old washed up players to bring contracts (Sherman/Ingram) and instead target guys that are looking for short term prove it deals to cash in next year in free agency. 

Some of the guys I'd target for us (w/ PFF'S contract projections):

• Ndamukong Suh (1 yr/$7M): His best years are behind him but he's still a good player that would bring some attitude to our defensive line and help improve our interior pass rush. 

• Tre Boston (1 yr/2.2M): He's only 28 years old and had the best year of his career playing for Gus Bradley (5 INT, 89.0 coverage grade) so he'd be a cheap option that knows the scheme.  

• Quinton Dunbar (2 yr/$12M): He was one of the best CB's in the NFL in 2019 but was hurt and never really found his footing in Seattle and is a pretty low risk/high reward signing. 

• Haason Reddick (1 yr/$8.5M): Former 1st round pick and an explosive edge rusher that finally played up to his potential once he was allowed to be a full time pass rusher. He has already said that he wants to sign somewhere that will use him in a similar manner and is definitely a guy I could see taking a 1 yr prove it deal because if he can replicate his 2020 production he'll get a huge contract in 2022. 

[NYRaider]

1 minute ago, oakdb36 said:

One of the things that's a little concerning about Lawson though is why are the Bengals, who are rebuilding and have a ton of cap space, letting a 25 year old pass rusher hit the market if he's as good as everyone says?

[agarcia34]

Wasn’t expecting Lawson to get that type of money but I shouldn’t be surprised if that’s what he gets. Seems pretty simple that the Raiders better bring big boy money to the table if they want a pass rusher in FA 

[oakdb36]

Joel Corry is a former agent and he's talking about the price he'd target as an agent. It doesn't necessarily mean the market will get there for Lawson but it shouldn't be too far off.