Fansided

NFL Rumors: Oakland Raiders could sign Will Smith in free agency

By Josh Hill

August 17, 2012; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints defensive end Will Smith (91) against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half of a preseason game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
August 17, 2012; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints defensive end Will Smith (91) against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half of a preseason game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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August 17, 2012; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints defensive end Will Smith (91) against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half of a preseason game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
August 17, 2012; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints defensive end Will Smith (91) against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half of a preseason game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

The New Orleans Saints purged from defensive stars on Wednesday in the first major salary cap slaughter of the offseason. Jabari Greer, Roman Harper and Will Smith were kindly asked to no longer play for the Saints and were cut by New Orleans effective immediately.

New Orleans is trying to find money any way they can to retain Jimmy Graham but the Saints loss in linebacker Will Smith may be the Oakland Raiders gain. According to Raiders beat writer Vic Tafur, the Black Hole could be absorbing a massive talent in Smith this offseason.

Raiders head coach Dennis Allen was the Saints defensive coach from 2006-2007 and was the secondary coach from 2007-2010. A reunion between Smith and Allen could be likely, as Smith’s injury in 2013 likely reduced his value on the free agent market and the Raiders would love to bargain shop and happen into one of the better defensive lineman on the market.

Oakland needs an edge presence and there’s no guarantee that they’ll land Jadeveon Clowney in the draft this May. Even if they do, having Smith around couldn’t hurt.

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