Fansided

Las Vegas Raiders free agency 2020: Top 5 targets

By Russell S. Baxter

DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 29: Chris Harris Jr. #25 of the Denver Broncos walks on the field before a game against the Oakland Raiders at Empower Field at Mile High on December 29, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 29: Chris Harris Jr. #25 of the Denver Broncos walks on the field before a game against the Oakland Raiders at Empower Field at Mile High on December 29, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – NOVEMBER 17: Chris Harris #25 of the Denver Broncos on the field in the first quarter of the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on November 17, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – NOVEMBER 17: Chris Harris #25 of the Denver Broncos on the field in the first quarter of the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on November 17, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images) /

3. CB Chris Harris Jr. (Denver Broncos)

The Raiders have a few potential unrestricted free agents when it comes to their secondary. Regardless of what they have done in recent offseason, this is an area in which this franchise at struggled mightily for far too long. Finding the right combination of performers when it comes to their pass defense has eluded the Silver and Black for far too long, even in 2016 when the team made its last postseason appearance.

In 2019, the club ranked 25th in the league in passing yards allowed per game. And the Raiders surrendered 33 scores through the air, two or more touchdown passes in 10 of their 16 outings. As far as those aforementioned UFAs, there’s cornerback Daryl Worley and 2016 first-round safety. Of course, this may have been a much different unit if physical safety Johnathan Abram had stayed healthy during his rookie campaign.

On the other hand, the rival Denver Broncos have decisions to make on three key veteran defenders: Defensive end Derek Wolfe, underrated free safety Justin Simmons and veteran cornerback Chris Harris Jr. The latter enters his 10th season in the league and remains one of the better players in the league at his position. The four-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl 50 champion is also adept when it comes to defending the run and could be a mentor of sorts for Paul Guenther’s entire defensive unit.

Next: No. 2

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