Oakland Raiders: What is Jon Gruden looking for during free agency?

Oakland Raiders head coach Jon Gruden talked to JT The Brick and revealed his profile for this year’s free-agent targets. What’s his preference?

Though it’s a painful memory, let’s turn the calendar back to 2018. The Oakland Raiders became the oldest team in the league and signed 16 free agents who were 30 years or older.

According to head coach Jon Gruden, the Raiders’ free-agent acquisitions won’t resemble last year’s group as far as age. He appeared on JT The Brick’s podcast and talked about an array of topics — one of them free agency.

“We’re not looking to add players that are at the end of their career,” Gruden said. “We’re looking for blossoming young players. Those guys usually don’t get to free agency.”

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Looking back, the Raiders used the last campaign as a period for veterans to teach the younger players how to approach the game on a professional level and apply the schemes put in place.

Don’t expect older talents such as Reggie Nelson and Leon Hall to re-sign on one-year deals. Now, it’s time for the rookies to grow. Gruden specifically mentioned Kolton Miller and Brandon Parker.

Among those on the wrong side of 30 years old, tight end Jared Cook and running back Marshawn Lynch may be the strongest candidates to re-sign on short-term deals. Cook emerged as quarterback Derek Carr‘s top pass-catcher last year, and Gruden opened the door for Beast Mode’s return if he chooses to do so.

Other than those two familiar faces, it’s time to move the Raiders rebuild toward the next step, developing the assets on the roster and acclimate acquisitions set to join the team in the coming months.

In some form or another, analysts often point out Gruden’s affinity for veterans. In the grand scheme, there’s a benefit to keeping experienced professionals in a locker room, especially with an influx of blossoming talent on the way.

Currently, the Raiders have four players 30 years or older on the payroll, long snapper Andrew DePaola (31), Lee Smith (31), Jordy Nelson (33) and Donald Penn (35). Veteran leadership will likely come from Penn, Nelson and Smith. DePaola just signed with the team last year, and long snappers aren’t power position players.

Penn has been with the team since 2014. Smith is going into his fifth year as a Raider; both can offer some guidance and set the tone behind the scenes. Nelson played a key role in the Green Bay Packers’ winning formula and won a Super Bowl in 2011.

Typically, free-agent deals come through the wire during the open-negotiating period before the official start of the new NFL year. Expect the Raiders to pursue top talents and second-tier players on the market.