Oakland Raiders free agency 2019: Top 5 targets

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PHILADELPHIA, PA – DECEMBER 23: Free safety Tyrann Mathieu #32 of the Houston Texans celebrates an interception by inside linebacker Benardrick McKinney #55 (not pictured) against the Philadelphia Eagles during the third quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

2. Tyrann Mathieu, FS (Houston Texans)

During the 2018 NFL season, the Oakland Raiders had plenty of question marks on their defense, including one guy who the team spent their 2016 first round pick on. That man is Karl Joseph, and by the end of the campaign, he had proven that he can be an elite safety at the NFL level, and will need to be as he enters year four.

In addition to Joseph, the Raiders also got a pleasantly surprising effort from Erik Harris, a guy who had to earn his place on the roster during the summer. Harris is a guy who could bring the position group great depth next season, but is not someone you can start on a regular basis at this point in his career.

Enter Tyrann Mathieu, who should be a guy the Raiders target this offseason in free agency. Mathieu is one of the better free safety free agents in this draft class, and plays with the kind of passion that Raider Nation loves to see out of their defensive backs. Oakland has a need at free safety, and Mathieu could certainly fill it.

If Joseph continues to develop, and cornerback Gareon Conley takes another step forward, this Raiders secondary could finally become a strength. Mathieu would be a perfect addition to this defensive backfield, and with youth in the secondary looking to break out, Oakland should be much better against the pass in 2019.

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