Oakland Raiders: 3 Free agents who could provide immediate impact
EDGE Nick Perry
Although Nick Perry lined up primarily at outside linebacker through seven years with the Green Bay Packers, he can transition to a hybrid role under defensive coordinator Paul Guenther. In today’s league, with varied fronts, the situational edge-rusher can bring overwhelming pressure on passing downs.
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Arden Key projects as the hybrid type because he stood up in a 3-4 unit at LSU, but the Raiders would have a veteran alternative with Perry in the same role. Typically, you’ll hear coaches say it’s impossible to have too many pass-rushers. This would apply to a defense that logged just 13 sacks last year.
While coaches would want to see Key make strides in his sophomore campaign, it wouldn’t hurt to have a proven commodity in case the second-year defensive end doesn’t show notable improvement in 2019.
Perry logged 32 sacks in seven terms, which included an 11-sack campaign during the 2016 season. At 6-3, 265 pounds, he uses his strength at the point of attack to reach the quarterback and moves well in restricted zones. The 29-year old has seven pass breakups over the last three years.
Recently, the former Packer took visits with the Seattle Seahawks, per CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora, and Miami Dolphins (h/t Miami Herald‘s Adam Beasley). At his age, Perry should still have some juice left, and the Raiders won’t have to pay him a fortune to fill a reduced role.
At a similar size, Carl Lawson (6-2, 265 pounds) played a hybrid role under Guenther in Cincinnati and found success during his rookie campaign with 8.5 sacks. As a player with previous flashes off the edge, Perry is worth a one-year, prove-it deal.