Three offensive weapons that the Las Vegas Raiders should target in free agency to put around Geno Smith
The Las Vegas Raiders have landed their quarterback, and he's expected to get a new deal, too. However, they still have a lot of work to do to put weapons around Geno Smith so that he can be successful. Free agency is where they will start. Let's start by mentioning that the Raiders currently have […]
The Las Vegas Raiders have landed their quarterback, and he's expected to get a new deal, too. However, they still have a lot of work to do to put weapons around Geno Smith so that he can be successful. Free agency is where they will start.
Let's start by mentioning that the Raiders currently have around $80 million in cap space, which is a pretty good amount. But, it can go pretty fast. They still have to give Smith a new deal, and bring back guys like Robert Spillane, Tre'Von Moehrig, and maybe even Malcolm Koonce. And, bringing back a guy like Adam Butler for depth on the defensive line wouldn't hurt either.
The Raiders will still look to add free agents, likely on the offensive side of the ball, the side that needs the most work. With the cap space they are projected to have available, there are some moves they can make in free agency to help Smith have a successful first season in Las Vegas.
Here are three weapons the Raiders should target in free agency:
3 free agent weapons Raiders should target
I'd like to preface this article by saying that this free agency class, when it comes to the wide receiver market, is not very good. The top players are all leaving their prime in guys like Davante Adams, Keenan Allen, DeAndre Hopkins, and Tyler Lockett. Then you have the guys that just went through an injury like Stefon Diggs, and of course, the misfit players like Diontae Johnson.
Nonetheless, the Raiders can still target some decent weapons.
1. Amari Cooper, WR
Amari Cooper has been around the block since he last wore the Silver and Black that drafted him. He's not entirely the same player, but still has a lot left, I'd like to think. His stint with the Buffalo Bills was good, and with the Cleveland Browns, well we don't count that because, you know, it's the Browns. With the Dallas Cowboys he was still good, too.
Will he go out and be a No. 1 WR? Probably not, but he should be a good option for Geno Smith to have, especially next to Jakobi Meyers and Brock Bowers. According to Spotrac, his current market value would be about $14.2 million APY. That's not too bad.
2. Stefon Diggs, WR
This one is tricky because we really don't know what he will be after the ACL injury, and after the Houston Texans picked up Christian Kirk and likely plan to draft some WRs, will they still target him? He was really good for the Texans before he was hurt last year.
If the money is right, he may be the perfect type of player to put next to Meyers and Tre Tucker. Diggs' current market value is $13.5 million, something the Raiders could easily afford. But, he may want more.
3. Tyler Lockett, WR
The Seattle Seahawks are quickly becoming the Las Vegas Raiders. In all seriousness, why not add a guy that will likely be cheap, but also has some familiarity with both Geno Smith and Pete Carroll? Yes, Lockett is near the end of his career, but he still has a bit left in the tank, and he showed that last season having 600 receiving yards as the third option.
Lockett would be a good veteran to add to what will likely be a semi-young group of weapons. And, his market value is only $7.7 million APY, so he's not expensive at all. He may even take the Pete Carroll discount.
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