Free agency is set to begin in just over two weeks, and teams have already started to put together their plans on who they will target. The Raiders are expected to be one of the more active clubs in the free-agent market, targeting starting level defensive backs, such as Byron Jones and Chris Harris.
However, there are always a handful of players each offseason who sign cheap deals who go on to be significant difference makers.
One example last season is Shaq Barrett, who signed with the Buccaneers on a one-year deal worth less than $5 million. He went on to record 19.5 sacks and is now set to be one of the highest-paid edge rushers in the NFL.
Today, we are looking at four players who shouldn’t be expensive on the open market that could outproduce their price tag. Without further ado, here are some names the Raiders should target in free agency.
1. DT Maliek Collins, Cowboys
Defensive tackle might be the position with the most depth in free agency as there are several big names expected to hit the market. But a player that could get lost in the shuffle is defensive tackle Maliek Collins of the Dallas Cowboys.
Collins has been a four-year starter for the Cowboys, totaling 14.5 sacks in 55 starts. However, the appeal here is that he’s only 24-years old and has experience under Rod Marinelli.
While Collins will likely never be an All-Pro caliber of player, he has shown the ability to be a high-level starter and would fit well in a rotation with Maurice Hurst as the team’s under tackle. Given all of the connections, keep an eye on Collins’ price tag in free agency.
[lawrence-newsletter]