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Oakland Raiders: Making decisions on in-house free agents

By Maurice Moton

OAKLAND, CA - OCTOBER 28: Jared Cook #87 of the Oakland Raiders celebrates after catching a long pass for a firs down against the Indianapolis Colts during the second half of their NFL football game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on October 28, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - OCTOBER 28: Jared Cook #87 of the Oakland Raiders celebrates after catching a long pass for a firs down against the Indianapolis Colts during the second half of their NFL football game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on October 28, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 10: Denzelle Good #71 of the Indianapolis Colts runs off the field during the first half of a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 10, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 10: Denzelle Good #71 of the Indianapolis Colts runs off the field during the first half of a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 10, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

OL Denzelle Good, Unrestricted

The Raiders claimed offensive lineman Denzelle Good off waivers in December after the Indianapolis Colts let him go. He started three contests at right guard in place of (Gabe) Jackson.

According to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), Good had a solid outing as a pass-blocker during Week 16 against the Denver Broncos, allowing just one quarterback hurry. However, nothing stood out in particular. He could serve as a solid backup, especially if Feliciano goes elsewhere. Offensive line coach Tom Cable may want to sign or draft a young player of his liking to groom as a potential heir to Osemele when his contract expires after the 2020 season.

The Raiders selected two offensive tackles in last year’s draft; it’s possible Cable pushes for a rookie guard on Day 3 of the upcoming selection process. In 2016, Good played 12 games, which included 10 starts, and allowed six sacks and 28 total pressures, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required) .

Verdict: Walk

CB Rashaan Melvin, Unrestricted

Here’s the easiest call among the 12 impending free agents on this list. It’s highly unlikely cornerback Rashaan Melvin re-signs with the Raiders. Following somewhat of a breakout season with the Colts through the 2017 term, he couldn’t build upon that momentum. The 29-year-old finished the 2018 campaign with nine pass breakups and one interception.

Melvin appeared in 14 contests but lost his starting job after Week 5. He expressed his frustrations via Twitter:

https://twitter.com/Rmelvin30/status/1051796455726362624

The veteran cover man played seven snaps the following game in London against the Seattle Seahawks. He didn’t regain his starting role until Week 16 vs. Broncos.

Turning 30 years old in October, Melvin will probably look for greener pastures elsewhere. There’s also reason to believe the Raiders draft a cornerback in the first round of April’s draft to strengthen the secondary.

When defensive coordinator Paul Guenther served in the same role with the Cincinnati Bengals between the 2014-17 terms, his front office selected cornerbacks in the first round of two drafts during his tenure, Darqueze Dennard (2014) and William Jackson (2016).

Verdict: Walk

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