Just sign, baby? The city of Oakland should be preparing itself to be the NFL’s hottest destination in 2016 for free agents.
The Oakland Raiders are set to have over $72 million in cap space this offseason (via ESPN’s Field Yates) which also means they’re set to pay heavily for some free agents. Aside from their massive budget this year though, the team itself is in a prime position to be the hottest free agent destination of 2016. With a young roster that improves every day, some of the hottest free agents on the market should be looking at plane tickets out to Oakland.
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The most obvious piece of Oakland’s attractiveness is the money they have to spend. With $72 million, they’re behind only the Jacksonville Jaguars ($78 million) in terms of money to spend, and after the Raiders released and re-signed safety Nate Allen last week, they should have a few more dollars to spend.
Some of that money may be used to restructure the contracts of their underpaid stars, and some of it will certainly go to their many 2016 free agents, but a decent chunk will undoubtedly be used to woo external talent.
For the league’s top talents that are looking for a new home, money will play a pretty big factor. Oakland can pay as much as anyone else this offseason, so if the likes of Olivier Vernon, Malik Jackson, Kelechi Osemele, or Bruce Irvin are looking for a big payday, then Oakland could be their best bet.
Even more important than signing the big-name free agents to massive contracts could be the ability to sign the mid-range guys to just a little bit more money than most of the competition. So maybe guys like Matt Forte, Casey Hayward, Tyrunn Walker, and Jeff Allen will look to Oakland to make a few extra bucks. The Raiders can pay them at the top end of their value, something that can’t be said of every team in the league.
But while the money is certainly a big draw, I wouldn’t argue that it is the biggest. No, the biggest draw in Oakland is the fact that this is a team clearly on the rise. Derek Carr, Khalil Mack, Amari Cooper.. three young stars who will only continue to get better. Mack is already playing at an elite level and is the centerpiece around which Oakland hopes to build a defense. Carr and Cooper are part of an offense that needs only a few more pieces to be one of the better units in the league.
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No, joining this team isn’t the same as signing with the Patriots, Panthers, or Packers in an attempt to win a ring in the immediate future, but the Raiders aren’t too far off pace from the teams that reached the playoffs in 2015. At the same time however, the team has needs all over the field. They’re a good team, but almost any free agent available could find a spot on the roster. No, Oakland isn’t looking for a starting quarterback or No. 1 wideout, but other than that they’re up for anything.
The defense has holes all over the field, and the offensive line could use an upgrade in several spots. Michael Crabtree is a great No. 2 wideout, but a talented No. 3 option or a top-tier tight end could certainly help. Latavius Murray has shown promise at running back, but having another talented back alongside him could give a big boost to the run-game. Mack is the team’s elite pass-rusher but didn’t the Denver Broncos just show us you can never have too many of those?
If I’m going to be a free agent this offseason, my eyes are already looking out west. Oakland can pay, and is just starting to emerge as a competitive team, but they will also certainly have a spot for almost any player on their roster. Lets not forget some of the most dedicated fans in the league are the ones in the silver and black. My only fear would be the uncertainty surrounding the team’s location in the future (Oakland/Raiders.. figure it out!), but that wouldn’t keep me away.
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Whether you’re a big-name type of player (Looking at you Josh Norman, Eric Berry, and Von Miller) or a mid-range free-agent (that means you Alex Boone, George Iloka, Matt Forte, and Patrick Robinson) Oakland may be just the spot for you.
Consider this a Public Service Announcement to all 2016 NFL Free Agents: Come to Oakland! They’ve got money, they’ve got a spot for you, and they’ve got potential. Oakland is officially the hottest free agent destination this offseason.