Le’Veon Bell rumors: 5 best fits in NFL free agency

2. Oakland Raiders

The Raiders created some hype by bringing Marshawn Lynch in out of retirement last offseason, but the results were not great. Lynch had 891 rushing yards and seven touchdowns in 15 games (4.3 yards per carry), as the “leader” of the league’s 25th-ranked rushing attack (97.1 yards per game).

Lynch may be back for another go-round in Oakland, with a $4 million base salary and a cap hit just over $5.9 million for this year. His re-retirement or a surprising decision to cut him would clear that money without implications, however inconsequential it looks on the surface, while creating a need on the roster.

Peter King of MMQB.com has named the Raiders as a team to watch in pursuit of Bell. Having just $19.276 million in cap space right now would make it unlikely Oakland can make a real run at Bell, but it’s early and sufficient cap room could be cleared.

Bell would be the all-around, every down back Oakland can really use and haven’t had to go with the rest of their talent on offense. Jon Gruden’s input may be the point around which the team’s interest in Bell tilts, but it’s easy to see a love-fest from the Raiders’ head coach and some real competition to get Bell coming out of Oakland.