Free Agency is finally here! Many of us are excited as the Raiders have nearly $40 million in cap space after a 12-4 playoff season.
Thus, the Raiders have been connected to many free agents already. Here are the top players that Oakland should avoid when Free Agency negotiations open on March 7.
Pierre Garcon
Garcon is 31. He took a step back last season. Oakland has no need for an undersized receiver on the outside.
DeSean Jackson
Jackson went to Cal and grew up in L.A. He should’ve been a Raider two seasons ago when we created a hashtag for him. Instead, he chose to kick it with Wale and RGIII. This ship has sailed, but we’re not salty.
Michael Floyd
He’s 27 and has value as an inside and outside threat. However, he did not show much with New England. Thus, he is on the open market for a reason. Not worth the snaps investment.
Adrian Peterson
Peterson will be an all-time great. However, his 1.9 average last season did not do him any favors. A checkered past with questionable fatherhood decisions and his age make this an absolute no-go. I don’t care if we should have had him instead of JaMarcus Russell.
Eddie Lacy
Young and big back with zero ability to avoid hits. He also lost his ability to hit the second gear and make explosive runs. If we wanted that, we would have kept Latavius Murray.
Jamaal Charles
Charles has missed more games than he has played in over the past few seasons. Plus, Oakland has their receiving backs in Jalen Richard and DeAndre Washington.
Andrew Whitworth
One of the best linemen in his time, but he is 35. He is not even an upgrade over Donald Penn.
Lorenzo Alexander
Even Alexander did not see his double-digits sack performance in 2016 coming. The Raiders do not need to be on the wrong side of his career projections as the edge is 34.
Julius Peppers
Another all-time great. He was still effective during his time in Green Bay. However, he is 37 and the Raiders need to invest money and reps elsewhere.
Brandon Carr
Big corner who has been on a steady decline. Raiders should pass.
Anthony Fasano
Our tight end position is enough of a mess without adding a journeyman tight end who is on the wrong side of 30.
Jared Odrick
He was never the same player in Jacksonville that he was in Miami. Is an end or a tackle? Is he any good? Plus, I didn’t forget that he dissed Oakland for the Jaguars. Boy Bye.
Jacquizz Rodgers
Rodgers might make sense if the Raiders want a big-back for insurance behind Washington and Richard. However, this NFL Draft class is stacked with backs.
Ryan Clady
Former Pro Bowler with injuries. Over 30. His previous team did not bring him back after only one season. He is also a career left tackle who is probably not willing to switch to the right side. Clady is also more of a zone blocker, so he does not fit in Oakland.
Russell Okung
See above.
LeGarrette Blount
I feel he was a product of his environment in New England. There is a reason the Patriots eased his use towards the end of the season.
Chris Long
He only played 60 percent of the snaps in New England last season. Long is 30, and a hybrid edge rusher with a legacy to the franchise. It makes too much sense to happen, just like last offseason.
Darius Butler
An aged, veteran corner. Eh.
Stay tuned to see if the Raiders negotiate with any of these free agents that could end up being big busts. Either way, Oakland can not make any deal official until the league new year begins on March 9.
The above players were from a list of the Top-100 Free Agents, per NFLTradeRumors.co.
