10 best available free agents to fit Raiders needs

10 best available free agents to fit Raiders needs

It’s Friday, which means the end of the work week. It also means it’s been two work weeks since the free agent market opened for business. The Raiders handled their number one business, which was to land top free agent defensive tackle Christian Wilkins. His addition along with the return of Adam Butler and John Jenkins helped to solidify the definsive interior, but that still leaves them with plenty to do to get this team in good shape headed into the draft.

They have some $28.3 million in cap room with which to try and add some upgrades, competition, and insurance at several position still in need. And there is still some talent out there who could provide what they need.

This is the top ten free agents still on the market who could come in and fill a need position for the Raiders.

Joey Porter Jr. ripped on podcast rant by ex-Steelers CB

Steven Nelson is still bitter about how things ended with the Steelers.

Does every NFL team have so many former players with an axe to grind like the Pittsburgh Steelers do? It seems like more and more former Steelers whom the team didn’t keep wants to get in front of a microphone and rip the Steelers.

The latest cornerback is Steven Nelson. He took to his podcast (because doesn’t everyone have a podcast now?) and decided to throw a little tantrum about how his time with the team ended. But then he decided to take it a step further and take a not-so-subtle shot at starting cornerback Joey Porter Jr.

Nelson had the audacity to say that the Steelers still haven’t found a corner yet since he left despite drafting Porter in the second round of the 2023 NFL draft and he ended up being one of the two or three best rookie cornerbacks in the league last season.

Taking it a step further, he was also taking a shot at Patrick Peterson who the Steelers added last season. Peterson will be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame after he retires and while he wasn’t his best last season, I’m not sure Nelson has the resume to insult him either.

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Report: Dolphins CB Xavien Howard has interest in joining Texans

It sounds like Xavien Howard is interested in joining the Texans, if he’s released by the Dolphins.

The Houston Texans have uncertainty at cornerback entering the 2024 offseason. Veteran Steven Nelson is not under contract after a career season, and it’s left a huge hole across from breakout sophomore Derek Stingley Jr.

Before the NFL free agency period has even started, one potential replacement has already made his interest known: Miami Dolphins cornerback Xavien Howard.

NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo reported Friday that Miami intends to release Howard. The former second-round pick is a four-time Pro Bowler and has led the NFL in interceptions twice, most recently in 2020 when he was a First-Team All-Pro. His play has dipped recently the past two seasons, and a major contract extension that he signed in 2022 has forced the Dolphins to move on from their former star as a cap casualty.

ESPN reporter DJ Bien-Aime shared Friday that Howard has expressed interest in joining the Texans, according to individuals close to him. Now, it’s up to general manager Nick Caserio and the Texans veteran scouting department to decide if the interest is mutual.

Howard would be a very reasonable plug-and-play corner opposite of Stingley who might come at a discounted price after his recent season. However, it’s unclear whether or not he would be a true upgrade from Nelson at this point or if he would even be a cheaper option considering how his name and past performance could increase demands.

At this point, this is still speculation. Miami has still not determined when they will release Howard, with many expecting it to happen at the start of the new league year on March 13. Whenever he is released, he will be free to sign with Houston or whatever team is interested

For fans searching for big name editions and further talent infusion to DeMeco Ryan’s defense, Howard be a welcome addition. He likely won’t be the last name interested in the up-start franchise looking to take the next steps towards true Super Bowl contention.

Ranking 2024’s top 12 free-agent cornerbacks

Top cornerbacks entering free agency in the 2024 offseason

The Carolina Panthers have lacked cornerback depth for a few seasons now. Will this be the offseason where they finally address it?

Here are the top 12 free-agent cornerbacks of 2024:

10 CBs the Colts should target in free agency

Taking a look at free-agent CB options for the Colts.

There is some potential in the cornerback group for the Indianapolis Colts but it’s the same old offseason story of a position group with promise that should add a veteran in case they don’t live up to the billing.

General manager Chris Ballard has taken his chances in this scenario in the past and it hasn’t always worked out for him. If he wants to stabilize the group, then a top-tier corner should be pursued heavily.

If he can’t land one, then a veteran to push the younger corners has to be considered. Ballard also has to keep an eye on nickel corners if he doesn’t re-sign Kenny Moore II and could use one for depth even if he is back for the 2024 season.

We should note that we understand a handful of these players won’t even hit the market, but we’re working under the hypothetical scenario that they become available, regardless of how slim the chances are.

If Chris Ballard decides to add to the position group via free agency, here are 10 players that the front office should target:

Texans CB Steven Nelson opens up about social media dispute with GM Nick Caserio

Steven Nelson discussed a former dispute with Texans GM Nick Caserio, his regret for it and his surprise how it blew up on social media.

Cornerback Steven Nelson had a career season with the Houston Texans.

Despite turning 30 this past year, he started 16 of 17 games for Houston while totaling 63 tackles, 12 passes defended and four interceptions during the regular season. He was a big part of the Texans’ playoff push and even had a spectacular pick-6 of Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco during the team’s wild-card round victory.

Before the huge season, however, there was training camp.

Nelson publicly feuded with the Texans organization about believing he had earned a raise following a strong 2022 campaign in coach Lovie Smith’s system and wanted better earnings on the one year remaining on his contract. After a few months of negotiation, Nelson lashed out on Instagram on June 28 prior to training camp.

He posted a picture of general manager Nick Caserio’s classic vest with the caption: “Can’t trust someone that wears one of these everyday of the week, clown freak.”

Despite not listing his name, it was obvious who Nelson was referring to. They did eventually reach a contract compromise during training camp, but fans will remember the post all the same.

On his new podcast “The Corner Suite,” Nelson recently discussed this dispute, his regret for it, and how surprised he was at its explosion on social media.

“What’s crazy is, I made a little joke about Nick’s vest, or wardrobe, whatever the case may be,” Nelson said. “I didn’t think it would be as viral as it went. Plus, I didn’t even mention the guy’s name.

“That just goes to show the power of social media. You’ve got all these millions of random people, they’re going to blow everything up. You’ve got people with podcasts, the radio stations, they blew it up.”

The debut episode also features Nelson discussing the team’s transition under head coach DeMeco Ryans, his rise to captaincy with the team, and an overall assessment of his performance in the 2023 season.

Fans will have to see if Nelson and Caserio can yet again agree to a compromise, this time one that would bring the cornerback back to Houston for the 2024 season. He’s a pending free agent and his departure could leave a huge hole at cornerback for the Texans.

15 Most Impactful Texans of 2023: No. 10 Steven Nelson

Steven Nelson turned in one of the best seasons of his career in 2023, helping the Texans make the playoffs and win a postseason game

The Houston Texans had an extremely successful 2023 campaign.

They cruised to a 10-7 record under new head coach DeMeco Ryans and captured several accolades along the way. They won the AFC South and won a playoff game for the first time since the 2019 season. Rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud won PFWA’s Offensive Rookie of the Year, rookie edge rusher Will Anderson won PFWA’s Defensive Rookie of the Year, and even Ryans took home hardware with PFWA’s Coach of the Year.

With a revamped team effort that led to dramatic improvements compared to both the 2021 and 2022 Texans, it’s worth examining who created that impact this past season and what their future projects moving forward.

This series has taken a look at defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins, running back Devin Singletary, rookie receiver Tank Dell, and veteran tackle George Fant, and upstart linebacker Blake Cashman.

Today, we take a closer look at cornerback Steven Nelson.

Zulgad: Four potential free agent fits for the Vikings, including a needle-moving defensive tackle

The Minnesota Vikings have a lot of options at their disposal in free agency. Judd Zulgad explores 4 targets, including Christian Wilkins.

The internet has been flooded with NFL mock drafts each day in the past month, even though the season isn’t complete. That isn’t a complaint, but it is a reminder that the mocks could change significantly once teams begin to address needs in free agency.

There are plenty of unknowns when it comes to the Minnesota Vikings. What we do know is that Over The Cap has the team with $24.9 million in salary-cap space and $19.8 million in effective cap room. The latter figure is the most realistic because it’s based on the space a team will have after signing at least 51 players and its projected rookie class.

The Vikings have the ability to create more room with various moves to cut contracts or restructure them. Of course, that space could be eaten up by the potential return of free agents such as quarterback Kirk Cousins and defensive end Danielle Hunter.

But those possibilities aren’t going to stop us from examining some potential free agents the Vikings could target.

Ravens PFF grades: Best and worst performers from 34-10 win over Texans in divisional round

We’re looking at the highest and lowest graded players in the Baltimore Ravens 34-10 win over the Houston Texans in the divisional round

The Ravens are off to the AFC Championship game after a dominant 34-10 win over the up and coming Houston Texans at M&T Bank Stadium.

In Saturday’s win, Jackson accounted for four total touchdowns while becoming the first player in NFL history to log two rushing touchdowns, two passing touchdowns, 100 yards rushing, and 100 yards passing in the same game.

With preparation for the championship Sunday set to begin, we’re looking at the highest and lowest graded players in Saturdays win via PFF.

Takeaways and observations from Ravens 34-10 win over Texans in AFC playoffs

We’re looking at takeaways and observations from the Baltimore Ravens 34-10 win over the Houston Texans in the AFC divisional round matchup

Baltimore will host the AFC title game for the first time since January 1971 after a 34-10 divisional-round win over the Houston Texans on Saturday afternoon.

In Saturday’s win, Jackson accounted for four total touchdowns while becoming the first player in NFL history to log two rushing touchdowns, two passing touchdowns, 100 yards rushing, and 100 yards passing in the same game.

With preparation for Championship Sunday set to begin, we’re looking at takeaways and observations from the win.