Fansided

10 NFL teams who could change their fortunes via Free Agency

By Andrew Garda

Feb 22, 2015; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh takes in the game between the Michigan Wolverines and the Ohio State Buckeyes at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 22, 2015; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh takes in the game between the Michigan Wolverines and the Ohio State Buckeyes at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 28, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) on the sidelines in the second quarter against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) on the sidelines in the second quarter against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

Oakland Raiders

Overview: The Oakland Raiders managed to find what seems to be as a franchise quarterback, added a nice receiver in James Jones last season and some solid defensive talent as well, including Khalil Mack , via the draft. They have the second most money to spend in free agency with $57,376,735, though they have quite a bit of dead cap space—just over $7.5 million.

Oakland is a team in the midst of a rebuild, but they appear to not want to admit it fully. There is a lot of age on the defensive side of the ball and $5.5 million tied up in Matt Schaub (which they can recoup if they cut him before June 1).

Pros: All that money gives them a lot of leeway in what they try to do here. There aren’t a ton of No.1 receivers out there, but they could reverse the mistake they made a few years back by signing Michael Crabtree or possibly lure Jeremy Maclin west.

Defensively, they could also be in the Ndamukong Suh sweepstakes—it seems like once upon a time that would be a cultural fit—and Suh next to Antonio Smith or Justin Tuck would do wonders for the front seven’s ability to generate pressure. There is ample talent at corner as well.

Cons: Last season, the Oakland Raiders invested in a lot of aging defensive players. It wasn’t a long-term move and worked out about as well as can be expected. They can’t patchwork a defense together—they need to invest—but it didn’t look like they were the type of front office to see that last year. Will that change? And while Michael Crabtree ostensibly looks like a No. 1 receiver, he didn’t always play like it and aside from him, it’s a lot of No. 2s and No. 3s to choose from.

This is another team which has enough holes to where it will be tough to rebuild quickly, but unlike the Jets (who are an unknown front office) or the Jaguars (who have been somewhat cautious in years past), this front office doesn’t exactly exude forethought in terms of free agency.

Next: Cleveland Browns

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