The Raiders were very active during the early free agency signing period but still have some players worth a look to shore up their work on defense and supplement their offense
The Las Vegas Raiders made an early splash in free agency vastly improving on defense, adding a legitimate No. 2 quarterback, and even adding a veteran tight end. Now, as the bigger names go off the board, there are still free agents Raiders general manager Mike Mayock should consider before putting away the checkbook.
Here’s a look at three players still on the open market we think the Raiders should consider.
Logan Ryan, CB
The Raiders made a nice move in inking former Saints CB Eli Apple to a deal earlier in the week, but he’s not a lock to start. The more talent and depth they can build at the position, the better they’ll be as they open their 61st season in their new home of Las Vegas.
Ryan is coming off a down year in Tennessee but has been an elite corner in the past and would be a good risk for Mike Mayock and Jon Gruden. Logan Ryan has played both outside and in the slot, and unlike Apple, would certainly be the starter opposite second-year CB Trayvon Mullen. The veteran would be a strong and positive influence on Mullen who showed great promise at the end of 2019. If the Raiders also spend a draft pick on a young cornerback or safety, Ryan’s veteran influence would be extremely valuable.
Breshad Perriman, WR
Yes, a bigger name – Emanuel Sanders – is still available, but the Raiders are a lock to take a first-round wide receiver in the NFL Draft. Because of that, a second-tier free agent at wideout makes more sense for them. Perriman came out of college with high expectations and disappointed his first three years in Cleveland and Baltimore. He found his way to Tampa Bay last season and resurrected his career with the Buccaneers.
He scored six touchdowns in 2019 while catching 36 passes for 645 yards. That nearly 18-yard per catch average caught people’s attention and at 27 he’s perhaps finally coming into his own. The drops that plagued his early career are gone has he had zero the past two seasons. He’d be a nice veteran addition to a young WR group which also includes veteran Tyrell Williams.
Devonta Freeman, RB
Although he may not be the starting RB he once was with the Atlanta Falcons, don’t let the three years of declining numbers fool you. Freeman still has plenty left in the tank and as an option to spell rookie sensation Josh Jacobs in his second season makes sense.
Freeman was released and replaced by Todd Gurley in Atlanta and was a two-time Pro Bowler during his six seasons with the Falcons. He’d be available on a team-friendly deal and would be a nice addition as a backup and change-of-pace back for the Raiders behind Jacobs. His pass-catching ability out of the backfield would be a huge plus in Gruden’s offense.
There are other names out there who could also help the Raiders in the short term, but the three players above could prove to be key additions to a young team and at the right price to boot.
Out of these potential free-agent signings, which would you prefer for the Raiders?