Fansided

5 darkhorses to make a run at the Super Bowl after NFL free agency

By John Buhler

Nov 26, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) rolls out to pass against the Carolina Panthers during the first quarter of an NFL game on Thanksgiving at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 26, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) rolls out to pass against the Carolina Panthers during the first quarter of an NFL game on Thanksgiving at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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January 31, 2016; Honolulu, HI, USA; Team Rice quarterback Derek Carr of the Oakland Raiders (4) celebrates after a play in front of wide receiver Amari Cooper of the Oakland Raiders (89) during the second quarter of the 2016 Pro Bowl game at Aloha Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
January 31, 2016; Honolulu, HI, USA; Team Rice quarterback Derek Carr of the Oakland Raiders (4) celebrates after a play in front of wide receiver Amari Cooper of the Oakland Raiders (89) during the second quarter of the 2016 Pro Bowl game at Aloha Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

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

Admittedly, this is a long shot, but the 2016 Oakland Raiders are certainly an AFC Playoff caliber team after the 2016 NFL free agency period. Not only do the Raiders have three young cornerstones on their roster in quarterback Derek Carr, wide receiver Amari Cooper, and outside linebacker Khalil Mack, but the Raiders managed to improve in free agency as well.

Oakland had a ton of salary cap space and managed to sign pass rusher Bruce Irvin, cornerback Sean Smith, and offensive lineman Kelechi Osemele in NFL free agency to bolster their already up-and-coming roster.

The Raiders have a proven head coach at the helm in Jack Del Rio, a great offensive mind in Bill Musgrave at offensive coordinator, and a fast-rising commodity defensively in defensive coordinator Ken Norton, Jr.

Given that the Denver Broncos had to deal with a mass exodus in NFL free agency, the AFC West in which the Raiders and Broncos play is totally up for grabs in 2016. The Kansas City Chiefs may emerge as the favorite to win the AFC West in 2016, but don’t think for a second that the 2016 Raiders can’t contend for either the AFC West crown or an AFC Wild Card spot.

Oakland is starting to build something potentially special in the Bay Area. Don’t be surprised to see the Raiders go 10-6 and make the AFC Playoffs. Once the Raiders make the postseason, unless they run into the buzz saw that is New England, there is no telling how deep the Raiders can go in an up-in-the-air AFC Championship race. The road to Super Bowl LI is far-fetched, but not entirely impossible for Oakland in 2016.

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