Raiders free agency: Here are the possible targets on offense for this NFL offseason
The Bee already has taken a look at the players on defense the Raiders should target when free agency begins March 13.
Now, it’s the offense’s turn.
On Monday, the Raiders placed a franchise tag on running back Josh Jacobs for at least another season, in hopes of working out a contract extension to keep the three-time Pro Bowl selection in silver and black.
Tagging Jacobs doesn’t mean the Raiders will stand pat at running back. They have Brandon Bolden, Zamir White and Brittain Brown under rookie contracts. Ameer Abduallah is a free agent.
As for the other known and potential holes on offense …
The biggest one, of course? Quarterback.
Who will the Raiders turn to behind center? Trade with the Packers for Aaron Rodgers? Or sign free agent Jimmy Garoppolo? Maybe even re-sign Jarrett Stidham, or move up to draft C.J. Stroud. The opinion here is that the QB position is best solved via a Rodgers trade and/or the draft.
As for the pass catchers, the Raiders have wide receivers Davante Adams, Hunter Renfrow and tight end Darren Waller under contract, leaving them relatively solid there.
Wide receiver Mack Hollins and tight end Foster Moreau are free agents, though, potentially creating some depth issues.
Re-signing Hollins is a must for the Raiders; he played well last season and was also a special teams ace.
The Raiders likely will let Moreau test free agency, but he will be another player they’ll at least consider re-signing along with guard Jermaine Eluemunor.
The Raiders have at least $48 million in cap space, according to OverTheCap.com.
Here are the The Bee’s top five potential free-agent targets on offense:
RT Jawaan Taylor
He last played for the Jacksonville Jaguars, where he helped protect quarterback Trevor Lawrence and earned a pass-blocking grade of 76.4 by Pro Football Focus.
His run blocking is a bit suspect, earning a grade of 39.7.
Still, Taylor was called for just seven penalties all season and allowed five sacks. Surely, the Raiders could use his services.
If not Taylor, the Raiders might look at Isaiah Wynn, whom general manager Dave Ziegler and head coach Josh McDaniels are familiar with back to their Patriots days.
OG Nate Davis
He was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the third round and played in 55 games.
Davis played in 12 contests last season and was graded by PFF at 66.8 in pass blocking and 69.8 in run blocking.
OG Isaac Seumalo
He last played for the Philadelphia Eagles.
Seumalo would be a huge help for the Raiders when it comes to pass and run protection.
He posted a PFF pass-blocking grade of 79.1 and run-blocking grade of 69.5.
That would bode well for the next starting quarterback and for Jacobs, too.
RB Damien Harris
He was injured most of the season, but when healthy, he can be an explosive running back and capably spell Jacobs.
And yes, he played for the Patriots, so signing Harris would be a get for the Raiders at a decent contract.
In 11 games last season, he had 462 yards and three touchdowns before he suffered a thigh injury.
If not Harris, then the Raiders can stay in-house with Bolden, White and Brown.
WR Jakobi Myers
Keeping the Patriots theme, there’s Myers, who can help the offense and whoever winds up at quarterback.
He typically does help a rookie quarterback, but no matter, the Raiders should definitely take a look at Myers and get him in Las Vegas.
Mecole Hardman could be another wide receiver option.