Las Vegas Raiders free agency 2021: Top 5 targets

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - JANUARY 06: Melvin Ingram #54 of the Los Angeles Chargers celebrates after sacking Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens during the third quarter in the AFC Wild Card Playoff game at M&T Bank Stadium on January 06, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – SEPTEMBER 27: Jadeveon Clowney #99 of the Tennessee Titans warms up before the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 27, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images) /

3. Jadeveon Clowney

Signing a guy who had exactly zero sacks in eight games last year isn’t going to suddenly transform the Raiders’ defensive line into a ferocious unit. Signing Clowney can, however, give Las Vegas’ defense the No. 1 pass-rusher they need to help the rest of the front-seven succeed.

Gruden does seem like the perfect personality to get the most out of the enigmatic edge rusher. Clowney genuinely believes he’s a superstar even if the numbers don’t back that belief up. That does raise the question of what sort of contract he’ll demand in free agency.

After his disastrous campaign in Tennessee, he should be willing to sign a short-term, incentive-laden deal for a team that’s willing to give him a starting job. The Raiders can afford to give him an opportunity to revive his career.

Clowney’s quality fit in Bradley’s cover-three scheme shouldn’t be overlooked. He’s at his best when he’s freed to rush the passer with little other responsibilities. Bradley will give his rush ends that kind of freedom on a high percentage of snaps. This is a marriage between player and team that makes a lot of sense.

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