Oakland Raiders: 3 Free agents who could provide immediate impact
S Tre Boston
Oakland tied for last with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Dolphins for most yards allowed per pass attempt (8.2) last year. Cornerback Gareon Conley had a solid sophomore campaign, recording a team-leading 15 pass breakups with three interceptions, but we could see a new starter opposite him if Daryl Worley doesn’t claim the spot.
The Raiders may have to roll with rookie second-rounder Trayvon Mullen’s growing pains on the perimeter. With Worley, quick-twitch wideouts could cause him trouble because of his average foot speed; he ran a 4.64-second 40-yard time at the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine.
A ball-hawking free safety can compensate for lapses with a rookie or a cornerback that lacks recovery speed in coverage. As the last line of defense, he’s able to read the quarterback — oftentimes helping over the top or moving forward to break up a pass in the middle of the field.
Tre Boston snagged eight interceptions and broke up 17 passes over the last two seasons. He’s provided adequate deep coverage for three clubs: the Carolina Panthers, Los Angeles Chargers and Arizona Cardinals.
The veteran’s solid coverage at three different stops indicates his production isn’t confined to one specific system. The Raiders could attempt to plug him into the free safety spot if they intend to use Lamarcus Joyner in the slot, as Michael Gehlken of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports.
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The 26-year old would certainly get the nod over Curtis Riley, who’s had issues wrapping up in the past, missing 23 tackles last season with the New York Giants, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required). The Raiders declined Karl Joseph‘s fifth-year option, and he played closer to the line of scrimmage for most of the 2018 term.
Boston would provide the Raiders defense with much-needed range to combat quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes and Philip Rivers within the division.