5 players not named Jimmy Garoppolo the Raiders should sign in Free Agency

5. The Las Vegas Raiders should sign S Vonn Bell in free agency

The Raiders moved on from former first-round safety Johnathan Abram last year but they didn’t have an adequate replacement. Safety Roderic Teamer took his place in the starting lineup but he isn’t the long-term answer next to Trevon Moehrig, who regressed in 2022 after flashing potential the season before.

Teamer was a liability in coverage, allowing 19 receptions on 19 targets (76 percent completion rate) for 166 yards and two receiving touchdowns. Although he was a solid tackler, you want your starting safety to be able to defend the pass and make plays. Vonn Bell, who’s slated to be a free agent would fit the bill.

Bell was a second-round pick by the New Orleans Saints in the 2016 draft who spent the last three seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals. Fellow Bengals safety Jessie Bates III will be highly coveted in free agency but the Raiders would need to pay a premium to secure his services.

Even though Bell doesn’t have the same name recognition as Bates, he’s equally reliable. The former Ohio State Buckeye has appeared in 109 games with 93 starts and tallied six interceptions, 15 forced fumbles, and 35 passes defensed during his seven-year career.

Bell signed a three-year deal worth $18 million in Cincy back in 2020 and he could get a similar deal this offseason. Signing him would help Las Vegas fill a hole in their secondary at an affordable rate, which in turn would let them take care of other roster needs.