Here's the skinny. I could try to bowl you over with unrealistic free agents that aren't coming for clicks. Instead I'll give you my opinion of 6 realistic free agent targets for the Raiders in descending order of likely to be signed. In my opinion, once again the Raiders won't try to make a huge splash in free agency. Rather, the Raiders will continue to scour for value and build for the long-term success of the team. With those caveats here we go:
S George Iloka
2018 Team: Minnesota Vikings
Age: 28
Contract: 2 yrs/$2.5M
I don't know if Iloka is old enough to be considered a "Gruden Grinder" (sarcasm), but many will suggest Iloka is just as spent as DB Leon Hall was last season. After being cut by the Bengals last season for financial reasons, Iloka flirted with the idea of signing with the Raiders but ultimately ended up as a backup with the Vikings.
The Raiders have been gouged by TEs for years. As well as SS Karl Joseph played in 2018 he simply cannot cover TEs that tower over him. Hence, a large part why Joseph was probably on the trade block last season. Iloka can be the big physical presence the Raiders have needed for years to contain TEs and could facilitate a Joseph trade during the season. Iloka knows Guenther's system so I would think this is an easy fit provided the money works. Thereby, as long as Iloka is open to playing SS, I have tagged him as the most likely signing by the Raiders in 2019.
2018 Team: Minnesota Vikings
Age: 28
Contract: 2 yrs/$2.5M
I don't know if Iloka is old enough to be considered a "Gruden Grinder" (sarcasm), but many will suggest Iloka is just as spent as DB Leon Hall was last season. After being cut by the Bengals last season for financial reasons, Iloka flirted with the idea of signing with the Raiders but ultimately ended up as a backup with the Vikings.
The Raiders have been gouged by TEs for years. As well as SS Karl Joseph played in 2018 he simply cannot cover TEs that tower over him. Hence, a large part why Joseph was probably on the trade block last season. Iloka can be the big physical presence the Raiders have needed for years to contain TEs and could facilitate a Joseph trade during the season. Iloka knows Guenther's system so I would think this is an easy fit provided the money works. Thereby, as long as Iloka is open to playing SS, I have tagged him as the most likely signing by the Raiders in 2019.
DE Micheal Johnson
2018 Team: Cincinnati Bengals
Age: 32
Contract: 2 yrs/$2.5M
Signing DE Michael Johnson is the kind of free agent signing that will make sports radio pundits howl. Yes, Johnson is an old guy and apparently Gruden loves old guys (sarcasm). However, when cooler prevail, Johnson will fulfill the same role as Frostee Rucker did last season. All of the Raiders holes will not be filled in one off season. Johnson will be a veteran presence that will teach Guenther's system to his defensive linemates. In my opinion, Johnson would be a slight upgrade over Rucker and barely made the Bengals roster last season. Adding Johnson should be an easy fit.
RB TJ Yeldon
2018 Team: Jacksonville Jaguars
Age: 26
Contract: 2 yrs/$3.5M
Whatever was left in Doug Martin's tank, the Raiders squeezed out of Martin in 2018. Despite finishing the season strong with back to back 100 yard games the Raiders would be wise to move on from the 30 year old RB, who was formerly one of the worst rated RBs of 2017.
Free agency is always a gamble. If the Raiders want to catch lighting in a bottle again, former Jacksonville RB TJ Yeldon checks a lot of boxes, albeit not without risk. On the positive, Yeldon has shown flashes of being a complimentary, change of pace, receiving back. However, Yeldon's aloof sideline disposition resulted in Jacksonville souring on the young RB. Similar to Martin in 2018, the Raiders should be able to sign Yeldon off the scrap heap with a low risk, short-term, incentive laden contract. It's important to keep in mind Gruden has always preferred a Thunder and Lightening RBBC a la Wheatley & Garner or Cadillac & Alstott.
DE Aaron Lynch
2018 Team: Chicago Bears
Age: 26
Contract: 2 yrs/$7M
As a 49er free agent in 2017 Lynch did not find much interest and ultimately ended up signing a 1 year deal with his former DC Fangio in Chicago. Lynch played well but lived up to his reputation for being injured and missed games in 2018. Lynch is not expected to receive much interest in free agency except from his former DC Fangio who is now the HC in Denver.
If the Raiders open up the wallet a little bit perhaps they could persuade Lynch to play for the Raiders. Exacerbating the financials is Lynch's injury history. I wouldn't expect Lynch to play 16 games but he does have the length Guenther's system covets and when he is available he would be a valuable swing edge rusher, provided Lynch is willing to be a full-time 43 DE. Mostly likely Lynch will end up in Denver.
LT Jason Peters
2018 Team: Philadelphia Eagles
Age: 37
Contract: 2 yrs/$18M
Last season the Eagles wanted Peters to take a pay cut but he successfully called their bluff. This season the Eagles are in salary cap hell and not likely to pick up Peter's 2019 option, which expires March 13. If Peters becomes a free agent the Raiders need to aggressively pursue him. Even at the risk of stunting Kolton Miller's development, the Raiders cannot allow their franchise QB to be crushed all season again.
New England Offensive Line Coach, Dante Scarnecchia is considered one of the best position coaches in the business is lauded for teaching his offensive lineman multiple positions. I understand the concerns about constantly switching positions for rookies but if Miller is limited to only being a LT then he is probably a bust. Adding Peters would give the Raider's young OTs time to develop and get stronger. In addition, at Peters age it is likely that both Miller and Parker will receive playing time. Peters won't be cheap but in my opinion the Raiders desperately need to protect their QB even at the risk of stalling Miller's development.
CB Ronald Darby
2018 Team: Philadelphia Eagles
Age: 25
Contract: 2 yrs/$20M
The free agent addition of CB Ronald Darby isn't going to happen, but I wish it would. Darby was a premiere CB in a contract year before he tore his ACL in week 10 of last season. Many project that Darby will be signed to a 1 year prove-it deal. However, the Raiders could swing for the fences and attempt to secure the services of a premiere cover CB, at a discount, signed to the standard 2 year deal with no dead money in 2020.
I would move Darby to the slot to replace rookie Nick Nelson, making Darby an even more expensive addition (and less likely to happen). Moving Darby to the slot could address another gaping weakness in the secondary and give Nelson time to develop. If Darby or Nelson were to break out the Raiders could potentially trade Darby by week 8 of 2020. Ultimately, this would be an analytical move to exchange contract dollars for future draft capital.