Imagine if the Oakland Raiders did this? Goal is to give Derek Carr weapons
The Oakland Raiders have the second most money in free agency, and they should have one thing in mind. That is to give Derek Carr their gunslinger weapons. Carr looked pretty solid in his rookie campaign with less talent around him.
Let just say the Raiders make some moves in free agency that set them up big time. Let’s look at the moves I think would make them a powerhouse team, especially knowing they have to spend at least 89 percent of their cap.
First move in Free Agency is simple, pursue Randall Cobb and Julius Thomas hard. Randall Cobb the pass catcher from Green Bay has been pretty amazing for the Packers and he is not demanding a lot. Many think 9 million a season for a very solid pass catcher is a lot, but the guy has been burning teams defenses for years. Cobb could be had for 9 million a year, and the Raiders have the money. There have not been many rumors of how much Julius Thomas wants or needs, but there are rumors the Raiders will be hungry for the Broncos tight end.
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Jags? Raiders? The market for Julius Thomas will be ACTIVE this offseason (via @RapSheet): http://t.co/uMvam4y2sd http://t.co/4VCQEZKkqz
If the Raiders can somehow land both Thomas and Cobb in free agency they have the fourth pick in the NFL Draft. I would not stop signing talent for my young quarterback though. I would want another wide receiver. If I was in charge of the Raiders I would draft either Kevin White or Amari Cooper. After watching the Combine I would probably take Cooper over White, who I felt ran a faster forty than White if you watch the film again. If the Raiders are able to add Cobb, Thomas and Cooper their receiving corps is now considered one of the best. They have money and let’s face it they need to keep it going.
I then would try to sign Frank Gore who is right down the road in San Francisco. Gore wants a chance to rush for 1000 yards, and he can have that opportunity in Oakland battling with Latavius Murray who injured himself near the end of the year. Gore is a cheaper option that can still be a work horse.
The Raiders would still have quite a bit of money left, and if they were smart they would make a run now at recently released Darnell Dockett, who is 33, but still demands double teams from Offensive lines. If the Raiders can then draft defense and hit on a few more players, they could be a dominate team. The Raiders would have a nasty offense and core around the young quarterback. It is hard to fail when you have a great core around you. The Raiders have the money, will they build around Carr, or keep adding pieces that do not get them anywhere?
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