Free agency is coming up quick. In a little over a week, teams will be allowed to start negotiating with those free agents they wish to try and sign. The Raiders are expected to be major playing this free-agent period and have approximately $50.3 million in cap space with which to do it.

Here are ten moves that would make for a perfect free agency for the Raiders as I see it.

1. Release Tahir Whitehead

The Raiders should make it a complete overhaul of the linebacking corps. Whitehead has not been up to snuff in his two years in Oakland and freeing up $6.25 million in cap space is far more valuable.

2. Release Zay Jones

A midseason trade acquisition last year, he was barely roster-worthy, and he’s certainly not worth $1.4 million. That money is better spent and the wide receiver unit is another area that needs a lot of new blood.

3. Sign CB Byron Jones

This should be the Raiders’ top priority. He would be a tremendous pickup, solidifying the Raiders’ cornerback group. He’s just 27 years old and was in the Pro Bowl a year ago.

[lawrence-newsletter]

4. Sign LB Cory Littleton

The Rams have said they don’t plan on using the franchise tag this year. Littleton is the prize of free agency at the linebacker spot. The cool thing about linebackers in free agency is there are a lot of good ones expected to hit the market. So, if the Raiders miss out on Littleton, they should have a lot of good options still to choose from.

5. Sign WR Emmanuel Sanders

Most people are looking at Robby Anderson as the guy the Raiders should go after in free agency. He would add speed and he is young (26), but he is also unproven and is said to be asking for a hefty payday. Sanders is a great route runner who blocks well and still has good speed at 32. The Raiders must be looking for their deep threat in the draft, so a short term free agent receiver like Sanders fits the bill.