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Sports Illustrated's Greg Bedard went through a list of who he thinks is the top 100 free agents on the market and sent them to teams where he thinks would be their best fits. Among them, there are five players he thinks would look good in Silver & Black.
13. Russell Okung, OT, Seahawks
Okung has had a lot of trouble staying healthy and that's caused him to drop from elite to good. But pair him with the right coach and he still has some good football left in him.
My take: No fits inside the top ten is a bit odd, but ok. Bedard has Donald Penn at number 25 going to the Seahawks, meaning in his view the Raiders would be looking to upgrade the position with Okung. I agree with this being Raiders' approach this offseason which is why they are allowing Penn to hit free agency. Okung is a former 8th overall pick and is just 28 years old - five years younger than Penn. While Okung has had some injury issues, he has actually only missed five games over the past two seasons, and never missed a playoff game, including the Seahawks 2013 Super Bowl run.
23. Tamba Hali, OLB, Chiefs
Hali's sack numbers have been down over the past two seasons, (12.5 total) but he's still always around the QB, even at age 32. He's broken down at the end of the previous three seasons, though.
My take: He is up there in age, so he probably wouldn't be among the Raiders top choices. But I could see the value lining up opposite Khalil Mack.
32. Reggie Nelson, S, Bengals
Nelson developed into one of the league's better deep safeties, and he intercepted a league-leading eight passes last season, but he'll turn 33 on Sept. 21.
My take: Not sure why Bedard thinks the Raiders, with as much cap space as they have, will be a great fit for players well into their 30s. Maybe he's just thinking about how Charles Woodson played at safety for the Raiders until nearly 40, so Nelson should replace him. He seems to still have something left in the tank.
39. Derrick Shelby, DE, Dolphins
He helped the Dolphins overcome the injury to Cameron Wake by providing much-needed pressure on the quarterback. Shelby, who went undrafted, isn't the biggest or fastest player, but he finds a way.
My take: Shelby is flying a little under the radar as a defensive end while fellow Dolphins pass rusher Olivier Vernon gets the headlines. Raiders can afford to aim high at Vernon, who was given the transition tag. I see perhaps Shelby being a fit, but much bigger targets for Raiders interest.
84. Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Ravens
Given a chance to flourish with an expanded role when Pernell McPhee signed with Chicago, Upshaw showed that he's merely an edge-setting outside linebacker. He provides very little pass rush.
My take: Ok...
Overall, it seems odd he doesn't think a single cornerback would be a good fit in Oakland. Also no guards.
In addition, there are a few players he has on his list which I have on the Raiders Free Agent wishlist (Of the above players, only Russell Okung is on that list). Keep in mind, these aren't necessarily predictions of where he thinks these players will sign, but simply where they would fit best, in his view. Here are those players and the teams he sees as the best fits for them:
1. Malik Jackson - Jaguars
3. Kelechi Osemele - 49ers
5. Mario Williams - Jaguars
6. Jason Pierre-Paul - Giants
7. Janoris Jenkins - Jaguars
9. George Iloka - Bengals
10. Sean Smith - Giants
11. Olivier Vernon - Dolphins
13. Russell Okung - Raiders
14. Eric Weddle - Cowboys
17. Danny Trevathan - Bears
20. Doug Martin - Texans
21. Casey Heyward - Bears
31. Ramon Foster - Steelers
33. Jerrell Freeman - Falcons
40. Tashaun Gipson - Titans
41. Prince Amukamara - Panthers
42. Chris Ivory - Cowboys
45. Patrick Robinson - Browns
54. Alex Boone - Bills
58. Brandon Boykin - Ravens
65. Jeff Allen - Eagles
67. Jeremy Lane - Seahawks
79. Derrick Johnson - Chiefs
88. Chris Long - Panthers
92. Jahri Evans - Dolphins
95. Bilal Powell - Dolphins
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