Free agent rumblings from Raiders perspective

It's day two of the three-day free agent tampering period and rumors and reports are flying of team interest in certain players. Much of it may never come to fruition but regardless, we'll attempt to keep up with it as it comes out.

Right off the top was the news of the Vikings re-signing Everson Griffen to a 5-year, $42 million deal. It sets the market price right about where I expected Lamarr Houston to be -- about $8 million per season.

Hakeem Nicks says he'd like to play for a team with a star quarterback. Per ESPN's Josina Anderson:

"There are a number of teams that I have my eye on once I hit the market," said Nicks. "I know if I went to a place like Indianapolis I would be dangerous with a quarterback like Andrew Luck. I can see myself catching passes from Cam Newton or even Philip Rivers."

Nicks will have many suitors and if playing with a great quarterback is his top priority, that would exclude the Raiders from contention at the moment with their uncertainty at the position.

The Jets have announced they have released cornerback Antonio Cromartie. The move was expected due to his $9.5 million cap hit. I don't see the Raiders having interest in him but adding a cornerback to the market always helps things from a team standpoint. They now have a better chance of landing the guy they want -- Alterraun Verner for instance.

The Dolphins are expected to sign offensive tackle, Branden Albert according to Pro Football Talk. This affects the Raiders greatly because the Dolphins were also said to be looking into signing Jared Veldheer. If they are opting for Albert, it takes one team out of the mix for Veldheer and raises the likelihood he will be re-signed by the Raiders despite earlier rumors the two sides were not close on contract numbers.

With Albert looking to be headed to Miami, Veldheer's newest top suitors are the Arizona Cardinals who are in need of a left tackle to protect Carson Palmer's blindside. Reports suggest the Cardinals see Veldheer as a younger, cheaper option than Albert. The Raiders would agree.

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