3 Bold predictions for the Oakland Raiders in 2019 NFL free agency

2. Raiders convince Marshawn Lynch to stick around

We can’t forget about those pending in-house free agents, right?

The Raiders will be faced with some tough decisions when it comes to their own folks headed for free agency this offseason. However, at this point, one of the seemingly foregone conclusions is that Marshawn Lynch is gone — most likely via retirement.

So wouldn’t it come as quite the shock if Beast Mode decided to hang out for one more year? The Raiders seem likely to stay in Oakland in 2019. Maybe a better send-off campaign than what he put together last season would be the ideal way to end his NFL career? Let’s say yes, for argument’s sake.

Now obviously this isn’t the way to fix the Oakland ground game. However, this wouldn’t be the only move the Raiders made at the running back position. Instead, they re-sign Lynch to a cheap, one-year deal. Doug Martin is allowed to walk, but Jalen Richard is retained as the passing-down back. Then, they spend an early-round pick on a running back.

Lynch stays on as a mentor to the young runner while serving in a complementary, short-yardage role. That takes pressure off the rookie to be the star of the show right away, and gives Silver and Black fans one more look at the local legend before the team bails for Las Vegas.