2019 Oakland Raiders Discussion

We have so much cap space. Wondering where we go first. I'm hearing we'll let Penn walk and sign OL and DL via free agency.

 

Penn is 32 and probably looking for one last hefty pay raise... McKenzie is weighing options right now. He's playing a game of chicken with Penn.

 

Penn removed all references to Raiders from his social media. He seems done here.

 

...a meeting supposedly occurred this week between him and Raider management. Not all hope is lost. The organization has established a semblance of stability and it needs to be maintained.

 

http://www.si.com/nfl/2016/02/29/oakland-raiders-offseason-free-agency-draft-needs

Farrar things Bergstrom should be signed... Eh? Depth purposes.

 

- Raiders considering Adam "PacMan" Jones? No...just no.
- still on the fence on Weddle...
- inked King to a long term deal? Thumbs up.
- Penn a priority signing? Get it done but for a reasonable price.

 

Raiders extend 2nd-round tender to Matt McGloin and 6th-round tender to Matt McCants.

I don't really want Penn back at what he's likely to get per season. I'd rather go grab another, younger dude.

I don't want PacMan either.

 

Some thoughts on Free Agency

TOP FAs from Oakland
Donald Penn, OT - 42nd best on NFL.com, 16th best on PFF. Penn has missed 52 snaps IN THE PAST EIGHT SEASONS.
Aldon Smith, DE. He's 75th rated on PFF, he's going to miss time, and he's been a positive the past two seasons, but he hasn't been close to what he was before that.
--Those are the only Raiders listed on the top 99 Free Agents from NFL.com. I hope they bring back Smith at a reasonable deal. I'm okay with letting Penn walk. I just don't want to break the bank on him.

Oakland Needs
Defensive End: Tuck is gone.
CB: Woodson is gone.


Possibilities
.Malik Jackson (DT) - huge money. $10-13M/season. Had an AV of 9 last season. Rated third best FA on PFF. Had seventh-most pressures in the NFL last season.
.Mario Williams (DE) - big money. Had an AV of 7 last season, and a three-year average of 12.7. Not on the PFF top 75 FAs.
.Janoris Jenkins (CB) - reportedly turned down a 5 year, $45M deal. Had an AV of 6 last year, and a four-year average of 6.8. 33rd rated FA on PFF. Surrenders TDs but also picks off passes at a high rate.
.Eric Weddle (S) - big money. Had an AV of 4 last year, but a three-year average of 8.3. He's entering age 31 season. Had the second highest coverage grade among CBs last season, but not a great run stopper. Ranked 5th best FA on PFF.
.Sean Smith (CB) - biggish money. Had an AV of 5 last season, and a three-year average of 5.3. Sixth best FA on PFF, 12th best among CBs last season in allowing only 1 reception per 12.7 coverages.
.Prince Amukamara (CB) - biggish money. Had an AV of 4 last season, and a three-year average of 4.3. 35th ranked FA on PFF. Above average CB four straight seasons, but he deals with injuries and missed time.
.George Iloka (S) - biggish money. Had an AV of 5 last year, and a three-year average of 6. Ranked 19th on PFF. Solid run stopper, also in 2014, allowed opposing QBs an 18.4 passer rating throwing at him. Best of all safeties in that season.

.Robert Ayers (DE) - moderate money. Had an AV of 5 last year, and a four-year average of 3.0, but in the past two seasons in which he has started (2015 and 2011), it's 5.5. Entering age 31 season. He's 13th ranked on PFF's FAs. He's an awesome pass-rusher, being in the top 12 for pass-rushers among 4-3 Ds the past three years.
.Mitchell Schwartz (OT) - moderate $. Had an AV of 6 last season, and a four-year average of 6.0. Consistent, hasn't missed a game or start in four seasons. 26th rated FA on PFF. Reliable pass protector.
.Terrance Knighton (DT) - moderate $. Posted an AV of 7 last season, and he's been below 6 only once in his career. Nearly a Raider last season, entering age 30 season. He's 58th rated on PFF, and they say he "didn't make much of an impact" last season.

Patrick Robinson (CB) - possible bargain. Posted an AV of 4 last season, giving him a four-year average of 3.0, but in the two seasons he has started, he as posted 4.5 average. 38th rated FA on PFF. Last season, he allowed more than 30 yards receiving only once.

Pac Man Jones - not thrilled about him, but he's 30th-best on PFF's list.

Thoughts
If we're going to break the bank on anyone, should it be a DL or DB? There are good DB options that won't break the bank. Why not beef up the OL and DL with Malik Jackson and a replacement for Penn? Win in the trenches.

 

- Jackson could work to take pressure off Mack and vice versa...
- Smith? See above. He could be brought back and pay dividends if the above two are in sync. By then, the crew could be on the verge of a playoff appearance.
- No to Mario Williams...
- Weddle? Still on the fence with him.
- How about ex-Panther Charles Johnson? Only 29...
- What? Pot Roast is on the menu again?
- I like Schwartz...
- Penn could be back. Up to McKenzie to reason with him. I would want the continuity.
- OL, DL, DB depth concerns can be addressed in the draft.
- F**k no to Jones. Don't like the guy.
- The Raiders are now the Lakers where all these big name free agents are using them for leverage.
- Having said the above... There's the Roddy Whites, Fosters and Fortes of the NFL Free Agent world.
- Like you said^... You win in the trenches.
- Lastly, F**k no to Jones. Don't like the guy.

 

Neiko Thorpe given 2nd round tender. He'll likely be with the team at $2.3M for the season.

 

Benson Mayowa was tendered at low-round, but I don't know the details (6th round?).

 

Quick recap of some stuff on the Raiders for today:

1. Article on FAs the Raiders should avoid:
Pacman on here.
Prince Amukamara on here, too. The main reason is that he WANTS about $10M a season. That's fine; he won't get it. Anywhere.

2. http://justblogbaby.com/2016/03/05/oakland-raiders-free-agency-check-list/2/
Cool article on FA checklist with possible players for Raiders to sign.
I agree with most of the author's takes on players.

3. Sean Smith and Iloka getting lots of love from pundits.

4. http://nflspinzone.com/2016/03/05/predicting-5-free-agents-oakland-raiders-will-sign-2016/6/
Article on five FAs the Raiders will sign. I hope they sign only one of them.

 

Teams are free to contact FAs. Let's listen for Raiders rumors.

 

^On that checklist...I agree with as well. Some are "name" players trying to cash in on past laurels. I like Gipson, Trevathan, Hayward, Vernon and Osemele. Not household notoriety but all solid prospects. Then we have our draft. I trust McKenzie can pull some good picks through seven rounds.

 

Weddle mentions The Silver and Black, New England, Pittsburgh and Carolina as considerations. I don't know but I feel like we're the red-headed stepchild of the bunch. No offense to red heads that is. Weddle wants that money or be with a contender.

 

He can go to those places. Given what he wants in terms of $, I'd rather spend it in the trenches.

 

Rumor: Raiders might trade for DeMarco Murray. Wouldn't want to give up much for him. He's beat.

 

POSSIBLE IN
Kelechi Osemele, G/T: Raiders reportedly interested.

Sean Smith, CB: Raiders reportedly interested.

Eric Weddle, CB: mentioned the Raiders, spoke "longingly" of Oakland.

POSSIBLE OUT
Donald Penn, OT: Raiders exclusive negotiating period ended today.

Rod Streater, WR: Chiefs are interested.

 

No. Just no. There are some capable running backs out there that can spell the Murray that we have. Paul Perkins is under the radar. Durable and can get the tough yards. Fast enough too...

 

I hope Streater does not go there. I don't like strengthening our rivals in our division. Not just that given our still under construction defensive backfield factors into it. I hope McKenzie has a more than capable replacement for Penn.