Five Underrated Free Agents The Oakland Raiders Should Target

The Oakland Raiders have a franchise-defining off season ahead of them. Not only does the team have three first-round picks, but the Raiders are one of just five teams with $75-plus million in cap space. With that much money to spend, it'll be tempting to sign some of the biggest free agents on the market. While the Raiders should certainly be players for talents such as Le'Veon Bell and Dee Ford, it's important that they scour the entire market. Finding underrated talent is key to building a successful team. As we saw with the Colts, smaller FA additions such as Eric Ebron and Pierre Desir can be just as important as Bell or Ford. As the Raiders look to the free agent period, finding those underrated talent will be vital. The team needs to use their cap space in a way that will be beneficial to the team, rather than just spending to spend. All five players listed may not be household names, but they could help the Raiders immensely in 2019 and beyond. As Jon Gruden and Mike Mayock look at the free agent class, these five should be at the top of their wish list.

Rishard Matthews, Wide Receiver

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNdI6FXHSto The Oakland Raiders desperately need some receiving talent around Derek Carr. After dealing Amari Cooper for a first round pick, the Raiders head into 2019 with just Jordy Nelson, Marcell Ateman, Seth Roberts and Keon Hatcher under contract. Even with Cooper for a portion of the year, Oakland finished 18th in the NFL with 4,057 receiving yards and tied 24th with 19 receiving touchdowns. Take away tight end Jared Cook's 896 yards and six scores and the Raiders fall to 30th in receiving yards and tied 32nd in receiving touchdowns. The 2019 NFL Draft is full of potential game-changing receivers. Guys like Marquise Brown, D.K Metcalf and A.J. Brown all could help elevate the Raiders' passing game. Yet even with all that potential talent, it's also important for the team to land some veterans to their receiving core. One sleeper option could be former Dolphin, Titan and Jet Rishard Matthews. Matthews didn't play much in 2018, only appearing in eight games and catching five passes. However, prior to this past season, Matthews caught 255 passes for 3,316 yards and 21 touchdowns. From 2015-2017, Matthews had a yard per catch average of at least 14.5 yards. In 2017, his 15 yards per catch ranked 18th in the NFL. In 2016, Matthews caught nine touchdowns, tied for sixth in the league. Since the start of the 2016 season, Matthews has caught 30 passes for 20+ yards. Heading into the 2018 season, that number tied was tied with Buccaneers' receiver Mike Evans and just four less than fellow Bucs' wide-out DeSean Jackson and Seahawks' receiver Doug Baldwin. Matthews has solid 6'0" height and ran a decent 4.6 at his combine. He would be able to function as a chain mover and a great red zone threat in the Raiders' offense. If Oakland were able to get a burner like Hollywood Brown in the draft, pairing him with Matthews could open up the field and create explosive plays for both players. Matthews is somewhat of an afterthought after not playing much in 2018. However, he has proven he has NFL ability while on the field. In a weak WR free agent class headlined by players such as Larry Fitzgerald and Devin Funchess, Matthews could be a sneaky addition to help shore up the Raiders' receiving core. 

Alex Okafor, 4-3 DE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPFHiOPjtkY On the defensive side of the ball, the Raiders need to add to their abysmal pass rush. Oakland was able to muster up just 13 sacks in 2018, by far the lowest in the league. Every other team had at least 30. The team seems to have a couple pieces to build around going forward in defensive tackles P.J. Hall and Maurice Hurst as well as linebacker Arden Key. However, the trio accounted for just five sacks, four coming from Hurst. As the Raiders look to bolster their pass rusher, they need to look for talented 4-3 defensive end who have a knack for getting into the back field. Like wide receiver, the 4-3 DE free agent class is somewhat weak in 2019. Yet, current Saints' lineman Alex Okafor can be a fit. Over his six year career, Okafor has made 156 tackles with 22 sacks, three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. He has made at least four sacks the past season with a high of eight in 2014. Despite battling through a knee injury in 2018, Okafor earned an above average 72 grade from Pro Football Focus, who highlights his pass rush ability. While the Raiders biggest need is their pass rush, Okafor has a knack for getting into the backfield and stopping the rush. Early in the season he ranked as one of the best run stoppers in the NFL according to PFF. Oakland ranked 30th in the NFL, allowing 2,249 yards on the ground. Adding Okafor not only gives the team a potent pass rush option, but gives the Raiders a well-rounded defender who can shut down all facets of opposing team's offenses. To become a free agent, Okafor must opt-out and void his current deal. However, with the arival of first-rounder Marcus Davenport and the minimal $1.7 million salary, there's a good chance Okafor enters FA looking for a better deal. If that becomes the case the Raiders should be ready to pounce. Okafor is one of the better pass rushers on the market and one of the best 4-3 DE available. In Oakland, he would line up opposite Key or any EDGE rusher acquired in the draft and would help revitalize the team's non-existent pass rush/run defense.

Ja'Wuan James, Offensive Tackle

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OyEvfQxXZzE The Oakland Raiders should have one of the better offensive lines in the league. Center Rodney Hudson earned All-Pro votes in 2018 while guards Kelechi Osemele and Gabe Jackson have both impressed throughout their careers. Oakland also used a first round pick on offensive tackle Kolton Miller in the 2018 draft. However, despite all that talent, the Raiders allowed 52 sacks this past season, tied for fifth highest in the NFL. It's important to note that multiple members of the Raiders' line battled injuries throughout the season. Oakland's line has shown potential in the past. In 2017 the unit allowed just 24 sacks, tied for third lowest in the NFL. The team still has the same three interior lineman as that season and added a player with upside in Miller. If the team added one more tackle, as well as perhaps ousting offensive line coach Tom Cable, they could return to their 2017 form in 2019. That one tackle could be former Dolphins' lineman Ja'Wuan James. James could end up being the most coveted player on this list. In a weak market for offensive tackles, the 27-year old could be in line for a big pay day. However, he has yet to make it to a Pro Bowl and is far from a household name such as a Le'Veon Bell, and therefore falls into the underrated category. James was somewhat of a late bloomer in his career. But has come into his own as of late. Over his five years, he has started 62 games and allowed just 21 sacks. In 2018 he allowed just 26 overall QB pressures, the lowest of his career. Pro Football Focus gave James an above average 70.7 grade for his 2018 season with high marks in both his run and pass blocking. The site also called James one of the most notable offensive free agents writing:

James is going to be an intriguing free agent option for two big reasons. 1. Tackles are coveted heavily in free agency. 2. He’s a former first-rounder with an upward trajectory to his career. James allowed all of 26 pressures this past season, the lowest total of his career. At not even 27 years old yet, James is in line for a big deal.

The term, "big deal" might be a bit scary, but with cap space to spend, taking a chance on a young James could be much more beneficial to this Raiders team than an aging O-Lineman. An offensive line of LT Kolton Miller, LG Kelechi Osemele, C Rodney Hudson, RG Gabe Jackson and RT Ja'Waun James can be one of the most potent and underrated in the league. As the Oakland Raiders look for offensive line help, they seem more likely to turn to the FA market. In a weak class, James stands out and could be a big help in keeping Derek Carr upright and improving the offense all together.

Bryce Callahan, Cornerback

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCAQqOTTgl8 Raiders' corner Gareon Conley took a big step in his development during the 2018 season. He started 14 out of the 15 games he appeared in, making 37 combined tackles with three interceptions and 15 passes defended. The 15 PD were good for fifth in the NFL. With Rashaan Melvin a free agent, and players like Daryl Worley and Leon Hall not looking like long-term answers, the Raiders must find more cornerback help to pair with Conley. Bears' slot corner Bryce Callahan could be the answer. Callahan was somewhat lost in the fold in Chicago. With defensive studs like Kyle Fuller and Eddie Jackson in the secondary, not many were aware of Callahan. But even though he didn't have as much name recognition as his teammates, Callahan performed well as a starter and could look for a larger role in FA. In his four year career, Callahan amassed 122 tackles with four sacks, four interceptions and twenty passes defended. He earned an impressive 81.4 grade from Pro Football Focus. The site named Callahan one of the most under-the-radar free agents in the 2019 class:

Slot cornerbacks rarely get paid in free agency, but that doesn’t mean they’re not valuable. In fact, our data found that targeting the slot was actually more valuable than receivers split wide. Over the last two seasons, targeting Callahan in the slot has netted opposing quarterbacks a passer rating of 74.3 (2017) and 78.9 (2018) – both top-five figures each season.

In Oakland, Callahan would likely continue to work in his slot role, the role he has excelled in. There's also a chance the team uses him on the outside, but at 5'8" he is likely used better on the inside. With Conley working on the team's best receiver and Callahan in the slot, the Raiders would be starting to build one of the better secondaries in the league. While pass rush might be more of a priority, the Raiders need help all over their defense. Adding a guy like Callahan might not be the most splashy addition, but he could pay dividends in the team's secondary. He has done nothing but produce during his short career and could be a player to build around for the Oakland Raiders.

Jay Ajayi, Running Back

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esvToOHLdFw As the Raiders try to rebuild their offense, adding to their run game is a must. In 2018, the team ran for just 1,628 yards and nine touchdowns, good for 25th and tied 27th respectively. Both Marshawn Lynch and Doug Martin are unlikely to return to the team in 2019. Jalen Richard is an unrestricted free agent, meaning the team can match any offer he receives. Richard was used primarily as a receiving down back in 2018, and could return to that role in 2019. If that's the case, the team would need a two-down between the tackles banger. While it could be a risk, former Eagle Jay Ajayi could be a realistic option. Ajayi's season was cut short in 2018 with an ACL injury. Prior to the injury, he ran 45 times for 184 yards and three scores. For his career, the one time Pro Bowler and one time Super Bowl champion has rushed 562 times for 2,516 yards and 13 touchdowns. He shined in Miami before being traded to the Eagles and put together strong seasons prior to his injury. The risk now comes in that the Raiders would have to trust he is fully over that his knee troubles. Ajayi himself took out an insurance policy on his injury, which could mean he doesn't think he is truly healthy. However, if the Raiders' medical team thinks he could play, he should be a low-cost, low-risk option for Oakland's run game. The 2019 NFL Draft has some potential at running back with players such as Josh Jacobs, Benny Snell, David Montgomery and many others. Yet, none of those running backs are even close to the potential of a Saquon Barkley or even Nick Chubb. It may take some NFL experience before any of them are ready to be regular contributors. In signing Ajayi, the Raiders would have a short-term stopgap who can produce on the field while also help mentor the team's RB of the future. If the team gets pre-injury Ajayi, then they landed an absolute steal who can completely change their offense. If Ajayi does struggle, he shouldn't cost much and would allow the team to not force a rookie into playing time he may not be ready for. The running back market has players such as Le'Veon Bell, Mark Ingram and Latavius Murray. If the team signs Bell, then they don't have to worry about the run game. But both Ingram and Murray are aging veterans who may need to be replaced. Both will cost much more than Ajayi and could lead to a rookie taking over sooner rather than later. Ajayi is certainly a risk, but bad teams don't get good by playing it safe. He shouldn't cost much and could be a game-changer both on the field and in the locker room.