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Raiders 3 bargain free agents to sign before 2022 NFL Draft

By Sayre Bedinger

Las Vegas Raiders: Stephon Gilmore #9 of the Carolina Panthers catches a pass before a game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on December 19, 2021 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)
Las Vegas Raiders: Stephon Gilmore #9 of the Carolina Panthers catches a pass before a game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on December 19, 2021 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images) /
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The Las Vegas Raiders have an opportunity to finish off a home run of an offseason if they can land a few more bargain free agents before the Draft.

The Las Vegas Raiders had a truly wild ride of a 2021 regular season with off-field issues galore resulting in wholesale changes in 2022. Those changes came after a shocking playoff run as interim head coach Rich Bisaccia rallied his troops and led the Raiders to a playoff berth.

Now, with Dave Ziegler and Josh McDaniels coming to Las Vegas from the New England Patriots, the Raiders are poised to make even more noise in 2022 after a couple of blockbuster moves so far this offseason.

It started on the first day of the new league year when the Raiders went out and signed pass rusher Chandler Jones, almost simultaneously making a player-for-player trade with the Indianapolis Colts to send Yannick Ngakoue to Indy while acquiring cornerback Rock Ya-Sin.

Then came the trade that shocked the NFL world as the Raiders acquired wide receiver Davante Adams from the Green Bay Packers, giving up both of their top two picks in the 2022 NFL Draft.

Because of what it cost them in terms of NFL Draft capital, the Raiders may not be done making moves in free agency and there are some bargains left on the market. As a matter of fact, there are plenty of starting-caliber players that have yet to sign with teams.

Which bargain free agents could still be of interest to Ziegler and McDaniels?

NFL Free Agency, Las Vegas Raiders
Las Vegas Raiders – NFL Free Agency; Carolina Panthers cornerback Stephon Gilmore (9) celebrates after an interception with teammates against the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

Raiders bargain free agent no. 1: Stephon Gilmore, CB

At one point in time, Stephone Gilmore would have been a premier free agent acquisition.

At the age of 31 and coming off of a season in which he only played a handful of games, perhaps the league has a different consensus opinion of the one-time Defensive Player of the Year.

Stephon Gilmore is still a capable ballhawk and even after the addition of Rock Ya-Sin, the Raiders need plenty of help in the secondary to keep up with the elite quarterbacks of the AFC West.

Gilmore has obvious connections to some of the staff in Las Vegas with his time playing for the New England Patriots where he won that aforementioned DPOY award. Although he may not be the same type of playmaker he once was, Gilmore is still capable of helping out a defense and for the Raiders, he could help them create turnovers off of that great pass rush they should have up front with Chandler Jones and Maxx Crosby.

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