2016 NFL Free Agency: 5 teams that should sign Eric Berry

By John Buhler | Feb 28, 2016

Jan 9, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Kansas City Chiefs free safety Eric Berry (29) reacts after intercepting a pass against the Houston Texans during the first quarter in a AFC Wild Card playoff football game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

2 of 6

Dec 6, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders wide receiver Michael Crabtree (15) catches the ball for a touchdown against Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Sean Smith (21) and free safety Eric Berry (29) during the second quarter at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

5. player. 28. . AFC. West. Oakland Raiders

Would Eric Berry really consider signing with the Kansas City Chiefs’ arch nemesis in the AFC West rival Oakland Raiders? Well, money does talk and the Raiders will have an absurd amount of cap space to poach Berry away from the rival Chiefs should they choose to in free agency.

Oakland has over $74 million in cap space and may target the Chiefs’ All-Pro free safety to both improve the Raiders’ secondary while simultaneously weakening Kansas City’s. Though the Raiders have been a laughing-stock in the NFL for about the last 13 years, they have quietly become a strong up-and-coming team under head coach Jack Del Rio.

The Raiders have made some terrific draft picks the last three years including quarterback Derek Carr, wide receiver Amari Cooper, and outside linebacker Khalil Mack. In 2016, Oakland will be one of a handful of teams in the AFC that could be in playoff contention that missed out the year before.

Oakland has to replace defensive back cornerstone Charles Woodson, who retired after completing the 2015 NFL season. With an already promising cornerback in D.J. Hayden on the roster, putting a playmaker like Berry in at safety for the Raiders could give their defense more balance to complement that on-the-rise offense of theirs.

While a bidding war with the Raiders should make most in Kansas City cringe at the thought of losing a great talent like Berry in free agency, Oakland does have a ton of cap space and expects to be big spenders in 2016 NFL Free Agency. Berry to the Raiders is a real possibility.

Next: 4. San Diego Chargers

Home/Atlanta Falcons