Fansided

Oakland Raiders free agency 2017: Top 5 targets

By Brad Weiss

SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 18: Head coach Jack Del Rio of the Oakland Raiders on the field before the game against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on December 18, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 18: Head coach Jack Del Rio of the Oakland Raiders on the field before the game against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on December 18, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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Nov 22, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs nose tackle Dontari Poe (92) reacts after scoring a touchdown during the first half of the game against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Kansas City won 33-3. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 22, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs nose tackle Dontari Poe (92) reacts after scoring a touchdown during the first half of the game against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Kansas City won 33-3. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dontari Poe

NT, Kansas City Chiefs

For all the moves the Raiders made to improve their offensive line this past offseason, the defensive line had its fair share of problems in 2016. The Raiders defense as a whole was pushed around far too often, and it seemed like teams could run all over them with ease. During the team’s first playoff game since 2002, Lamar Miller of the Houston  Texans ran wild, and that is something that cannot happen if the Raiders want to be considered legitimate Super Bowl contenders next year.

The Raiders need help up the middle, as they do get good pass rush on the edges. Bringing in a player like Dontari Poe would be a serious upgrade to the middle of the Raiders defensive line, and what he can bring to the game would play really well inside The Black Hole. He plays with a tenacity that Raiders fans have come to love, and he would certainly be welcome even though he is coming from the hated Kansas City Chiefs.

Last offseason, the Raiders were able to pluck Sean Smith away from the Chiefs, and the organization has done a nice job getting talent to come to Oakland since Jack Del Rio took over as head coach. Poe is likely done in Kansas City, as the team just does not  have the cap space to give him the kind of money he is looking for. Oakland would be a nice fit for Poe, and he would get the chance to face his former mates two times per year.