Raiders Free Agency Primer

The new league year is here and that means free agency is finally set to begin. As of 1:00pm Pacific Time today, players can officially put pen to paper and sign contracts with new teams. Here is what you need to know to be ready once the clock strikes one.

Raiders free agents:

OT Jared Veldheer

DE Lamarr Houston

RB  Darren McFadden

WR   Jacoby Ford

TE   Jeron Mastrud

C Andre Gurode

RB  Rashad Jennings

OT   Tony Pashos

DT   Vance Walker

S Charles Woodson

DT   Pat Sims

CB   Mike Jenkins

CB   Tracy Porter

DE   Jason Hunter

S Usama Young

CB   Phillip Adams

DT   Daniel Muir

The Raiders have only signed one unrestricted free agent this off-season - Khalif Barnes, who was brought back on his sixth straight one-year deal.

Rumblings of Raiders free agents:

Jared Veldheer has received the most interest from the Cardinals and could be headed there barring a late bid from the Raiders.

Lamarr Houston appears to be all but officially a member of the Chicago Bears.

Darren McFadden is said to have interested teams. His most logical destination could be Cincinnati.

Charles Woodson said he would like to return for one more season but if the money isn't right, he'd just as well retire.

The Raiders are said to be attempting to re-sign running back Rashad Jennings.

Outside free agents Raiders are showing interest:

The one player who appears poised to sign with the Raiders is offensive tackle, Rodger Saffold. This, of course, it dependent upon Jared Veldheer leaving as a free agent. Saffold would be nabbed as his replacement.

Positions of need:

Quarterback, defensive end, cornerback, offensive guard, defensive tackle, wide receiver, tight end

Additional positions of need if key free agents not re-signed:

Offensive tackle, free safety, running back, another defensive end

Notable free agents at positions of need:

For those players, look to the free agent wish list series. But here are some of the top choices set to hit the market for the Raiders' purposes:

Offense -- QB Josh Freeman, RB Ben Tate, WR James Jones, TE Brandon Pettigrew, OG Geoff Schwartz

Defense - DL Tyson Jackson, DE Michael Johnson, FS Jairus Byrd, CB Alterraun Verner

Room under the salary cap:

Some say $66 while others have said $64. Either way, it's a hell of a lot of money. The most in the league this year by a good $10 million and the most ever in the salary cap era. Come 1pm we will begin to see how much of that money they are planning to spend.