ESPN REPORT: Another Strong Player Commits to Las Vegas Raiders..

The Las Vegas Raiders are in the heart of the offseason now that the NFL Combine is over and free agency starts on Monday. Let’s get into this week’s mailbag as the NFL Draft is in less than two months!

In terms of signing significant players during free agency, will the Raiders be contenders or pretenders?

In response, Q made a valid statement that I believe would inspire Raider supporters when he touched on this topic during Thursday’s Locked On Raiders podcast episode. Q discussed a few players from other teams who have lately expressed interest in joining the Raiders; these players are primarily former ASU players who were under Antonio Pierce’s coaching. Q claimed that this is one of the first times in a long time that other players appear interested in playing for the Silver and Black.

I can’t recall many individuals who specifically desired to be Raiders over the last 20 years or so. Marshawn Lynch was the lone exception, but that was mainly due to the fact that the team was moving away from his hometown.

In his final years as general manager of the Chargers, Tom Telesco was aggressive in free agency. Las Vegas has plenty of cap space to entice free agents to the desert. Antonio Pierce also wants to be aggressive and exudes a strong sense of confidence that this team is just a few components away from becoming a real postseason contender.

Thus, I believe the Raiders will pursue a few big names in free agency this offseason. Of course, we’ll find out early next week just how successful they are, but the money is there and it appears like they have a chance.

What action, like the Chandler Jones signing, would demonstrate that “we’re all in”?

A: Leonard Williams’s signing. He’s a capable player who could make an immediate impact and address a critical need for the squad. But Willaims turns thirty in June as well, so that would undoubtedly be a move more focused on winning now than preparing for the future. A comparable assessment of Steven Nelson, Chidobe Awuzie, or Kendall Fuller might be made from a different vantage point.

Which would you prefer: selecting a CB or signing a DT? Or the other way around?

A: Specifically for this offseason, sign a defensive tackle and select a cornerback in the draft. The cornerback free agent market is a little lackluster because L’Jarius Sneed and Jaylon Johnson have been franchise-tagged, but there are still a number of excellent defensive tackles available. Since the club is thin at defensive tackle, Leonard Williams, Christian Wilkins, or DJ Reader would all be excellent choices. Additionally, the team would still have room in the draft to select another defensive tackle. The Raiders may also pursue a few of the high-caliber corners in this year’s draft class.

Which quarterback, after Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels, is the most suitable pick in the draft?

A: I think Drake Maye would be an excellent target if he starts to slip on draft day since I like him more than Daniels. Luke Getsy’s strategy asks quarterbacks to run the ball down the field, and he has the arm strength and athleticism to participate in it occasionally. For similar reasons as Maye, J.J. McCarthy would be an excellent fit as well; he just possesses a little bit more athleticism and less arm talent.

LINKED

Film room: J.J. McCarthy can play Q, so don’t let the statistics deceive you. If we stay at 13, what would be the best/worst case scenario?

A: Best scenario: The Raiders may acquire a decent quarterback prospect without having to give up assets or other picks if Maye or McCarthy drop and become available at 13. Nevertheless, I believe there’s a much greater chance that those two are off the board than that any of them was on it when they were teenagers.

Worst case scenario: Terrion Arnold, Quinyon Mitchell, Byron Murphy, and the other three quarterbacks are all out of the game. In that case, Las Vegas could certainly sign a solid offensive lineman, but it would be disappointing to pass on the best player at the position where the team most needs him. I would consider trading down and focusing on Jer’Zhan Newton or Nate Wiggins if that’s how the draft plays out.

What are the chances that Joe Milton, a Tennessee native, will be selected and given the opportunity to start?

A: Extremely minimal. Milton is still an older prospect and a project, which is a horrible mix, even though I thought he did well in the combine where he could showcase his amazing arm strength. Despite spending six years in college at two prestigious institutions, he still issues with touch and accuracy. Tennessee’s offense, which features a lot of planned throws, did him no favors as a processor. Milton has a lot of arm talent, but unless he gets hurt, I’d be shocked if he gets a starting position anywhere as a rookie.

Which players on this Raiders team do you like, Cooper DeJean and Braden Fiske or Nate Wiggins and T’Vondre Sweat?

A: Wiggins and Sweat, if those are my only two options and I can’t mix and match. DeJean would be rich to receive the 13th overall pick because he is recovering from an injury and might be a better safety than a corner. Additionally, I prefer Fiske over Sweat, but I am hesitant to choose Fiske because of his short arms and similar approach to Sweat.

In the end, I feel that Wiggins is a better match in Las Vegas than DeJean, and with Sweat, the defense would at least have a capable gap filler in the trenches. That’s why I see a difference in the scenario.

Q: Matt, who do you believe will start at quarterback in the first game after all is said and done?

A: May I accept the easy response from the person they draft? Haha.

Unless the price is really low, I don’t see the Raiders trading for Justin Fields or making a push at Kirk Cousins or Baker Mayfield. The only veteran who I can see them adding as a possible starter is Russell Wilson, but I don’t think he’s that good anymore and his next contract will be inexpensive.

Therefore, I think it makes the most sense to choose a quarterback. McCarthy, if I had to stake a claim right now (I reserve the right to change my mind!).

McCarthy disclosed during the combine that Getsy had ties to Kirk Campbell, his quarterback coach at Michigan, because the two went to West Virginia Wesleyan together in 2009. Additionally, Vic Tafur of The Athletic claimed this week that the Raiders are considering trading into the five- to seven-pick bracket, which is probably where McCarthy will end up.

Brother MacManus #3
What is the number of our guys that you hope to see resign? And how much of an impact does it, in your opinion, have on what they plan to do when pursuing Wilkins and other big names?
A: I don’t think many players will be retained because Las Vegas doesn’t have many noteworthy free agents. The first names that spring to mind are Amik Robertson, Bilal Nichols, and Jermaine Eluemunor, but I won’t beat a path to bring them back. Stated differently, their ability to pursue a player such as Wilkins should not be much impacted by the presence of internal free agents.

LINKED

Cinema room: PC 789’s Christian Wilkins exudes physical dominance
Hello Matt
Should the Raiders try to sign Russell Wilson, in your opinion?
Do you believe that if Daniel Jones is available, Tom T should make a trade offer to get him? His $35 million salary is due, but if the Giants wish to cut him, they may contribute to this.
A: The Raiders may find themselves in a “why not?” scenario if Wilson is prepared to swallow his ego and sign for the veteran’s minimum because the Broncos are paying him $39 million this season. Either he plays well and contributes to the team’s victory, or he is outplayed by Aidan O’Connell or a youngster and the organization is forced to absorb significant financial losses. All that remains is for Wilson to decide if Las Vegas is the ideal location for his circumstances.

Regarding Daniel Jones, let me say this: hell no.

AAAA54
What awaits Thayer Munford in 2024?
In filling in for Miller, he performed admirably at LT. However, it seems that he was unable to surpass Eluemunor at RT, and some are mentioning that he played guard in his last year of college.
A: Among the Raiders who aren’t free agents, Thayer Munford Jr.’s position is one of the most intriguing free agency tales. I don’t think he will lose to Eluemunor after the previous two seasons because he was a seventh-round choice, but Munford Jr. isn’t talented enough to start the next season without being given a chance. In the end, I believe the front office will need to bring in competition through the draft, free agency, or possibly both in order to give him a shot to earn a spot in training camp.

LINKED

Five non-free agents that the free agency could affect
Paul-30
Do you believe the Raiders would choose Byron Young at number thirteen and then move back to the first round to get Michael Penix later on in the first round to get the five-year option, or would they trade for Justin Fields if they are unable to make a trade to acquire Daniels? Last but not least, Wr. Tyrell Harrell of Miami is my sleeper. A: I take it that this is intended to be Byron Murphy II and not Young. I hope the Raiders draft him as a strong receiver, excellent returner, and lightning quick. Indeed, Murphy II presents a viable alternative should the Raiders fail to select a quarterback with the 13th choice. After a strong showing at the combine, he moved up to my top defensive tackle position. He is a disruptive player who would work nicely as an edge combination with Malcolm Koonce and Maxx Crosby.

Although I believe Penix Jr. is a better pick in the second round, I may be persuaded to trade into the first round in order to retain the fifth-year option in the front office’s back pocket in the future. The key question now becomes: How much is the leverage that comes with the option worth? They would most likely need to move up in the second round to acquire him anyhow.

The Cardinals have the 27th (from the Texans) and 35th overall picks, to name a fast scenario. The difference between those two, based on the draft pick value chart, is 130 points, or a late third-round pick. According to Spotrac, the estimated total value of the contracts for picks 27 and 35 is $13.6 million and $9.8 million, respectively.

Is a third- or fourth-round pick and somewhat less than $1 million annually worth the fifth-year option? If it were just about the money, I wouldn’t hesitate, but the additional draft pick makes me hesitate a little. Since Penix Jr. ideally plays well enough that they begin negotiating an extension at the end of the third season, I would incline toward saying no.

AAAA54
At pick #44, how much would it cost the Raiders to return to the first round? Assume choices 24-32.
A: This question is similar to the previous one, so to provide an approximate range, let’s revisit the helpful draft pick value table. Pick 44 is valued at 460 points, pick 24 at 740, and pick 32 at 590. Thus, in order for the Raiders to return to the first round, they would need to score 280 to 130 points. That translates to a late third-round selection on the low end and a late second/early third-round selection on the high end.

That concludes the mailbag for this week. We appreciate your questions, and as your weekly reminder, you can look for our weekly call for questions on the website, tweet at me, @MHolder95, email your questions to SBPQuestions1@gmail.com, or submit them if you’d like to have them addressed in a future column. The latter will keep up its Thursday publishing schedule.

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