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NFL Free Agency 2019: Predicting the Oakland Raiders biggest moves

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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CINCINNATI, OH – OCTOBER 7: Shawn Williams #36 of the Cincinnati Bengals, Nick Vigil #59 and Preston Brown #52 combine to tackle Frank Gore #21 of the Miami Dolphins during the third quarter at Paul Brown Stadium on October 7, 2018 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH – OCTOBER 7: Shawn Williams #36 of the Cincinnati Bengals, Nick Vigil #59 and Preston Brown #52 combine to tackle Frank Gore #21 of the Miami Dolphins during the third quarter at Paul Brown Stadium on October 7, 2018 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images) /

Acquire an Under-the-Radar Middle Linebacker

C.J. Mosley comes up as the popular name for several clubs that need an inside or middle linebacker. However, it would be a complete shocker to see the Baltimore Ravens allow him to walk out of the door. Both the player and team want to strike an agreement, per ESPN.com’s Jamison Hensley. “All sides are optimistic about getting a deal done,” he wrote.

The Raiders should certainly view Mosley as a target, but it’s not a back-breaker if he stays in Baltimore. Mayock and Gruden can move down the line of available middle linebackers.

Oakland should go after Kwon Alexander, who’s a solid coverage defender at the position with six interceptions and 22 pass breakups in four seasons. However, if you look at position traits in Guenther’s scheme, he prefers bigger linebackers with mobility.

As a linebackers coach and defensive coordinator, Guenther worked with Rey Maualuga (6-1, 254 pounds) at middle linebacker between the 2011-16 seasons. Before him, Dhani Jones (6-1, 240 pounds) held the spot for a majority of three terms (2008-10).

Perhaps Guenther changes his preference as the game evolves with a need for more athletic linebackers in the middle. Defenses must cover running backs and tight ends in space. If the Raiders play-caller sticks to his measurements at the position, Preston Brown (6-1, 251 pounds) seems like a reasonable fit. He’s not inept in short-area coverage and quickly diagnoses plays after the snap.

Before sustaining a knee injury during the 2018 term, Brown hadn’t missed a game with the Buffalo Bills and played like a tackling machine, logging 505 takedowns in his first four seasons.

Brown isn’t the headlining pickup that causes fans say “wow”, but he fits Guenther’s mold as a centerpiece of a defense. The 26-year old is a cerebral, sure-tackling and physical defender at the heart of a unit.

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