Over the last few days, the Raiders have cleared up some cap space to be aggressive in free agency. And as we have seen over the last two years on Mike Mayock and Jon Gruden, they aren’t afraid to be aggressive in free agency.
With the lack of a pass-rush being the team’s biggest need on defense, could the Raiders utilize free agency to find a stud edge rusher? Or will they wait until the draft and potentially pick one at No. 17?
In a recent article by Michael Renner of Pro Football Focus, he discussed every team’s biggest needs entering the offseason and the best avenue to filling those holes. For the Raiders, Renner believes free agency might be their best route at pass rusher:
“If the team is going to splurge anywhere, defensive line feels like the place to go. Pass rush is a must in Gus Bradley’s scheme, and a player like Carl Lawson, Yannick Ngakoue or Trey Hendrickson would provide a speed-rushing threat the Raiders don’t have. The edge class is deep in the draft, too, but Las Vegas doesn’t quite have the time to wait for someone in the raw class to develop.”
The draft does have a lot of talent at pass rusher and it’s likely the Raiders would have their choice of just about every EDGE rusher in the class. But as Renner mentioned, this team doesn’t have time to wait around for a pass-rusher to develop.
For that reason, look for the Raiders to potentially target a high-priced free agent over the next week. Lawson and Ngakoue could certainly be targets, but don’t be surprised if Shaquil Barrett and Bud Dupree are on their radar, as well.
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