The Raiders have been busy in free agency, signing players such as defensive tackle Dan Williams, center Rodney Hudson, middle linebacker Curtis Lofton and safety Nate Allen.
Each figures to start, plus the Raiders have brought in running back Trent Richardson, quarterback Christian Ponder, linebacker Malcolm Smith, corner James Dockery and tight end Lee Smith for depth and specific roles.
But with about $22 million still to spend under the 2015 salary cap, team owner Mark Davis wants his franchise to continue to bring in more talent. A team that went 3-13 last season can’t afford to overlook a single player who might upgrade the roster.
On Monday, Marc Sessler of NFL.com tweeted that, “Mark Davis said he’s happy with the moves the Raiders have made in free agency, but made it clear: ‘We aren’t done yet.’ ”
It will be interesting to see where the Raiders spend their money, however. The top line of free agents already has signed, and many of the big names left on the market have drawn lukewarm interest.
Oakland needs to upgrade at wide receiver, tight end and at guard, and the team needs another good pass rusher and more help at cornerback.
One thing the Raiders have shown they aren’t willing to do anymore is spend money on players over 30 on the downside of their career.
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So, former 49ers wideout Michael Crabtree, only 27, would still make sense and might be a nice fit for young quarterback Derek Carr. And Dwayne Bowe, too – though 30 – has been productive and knows the AFC West having been the No. 1 receiver in Kansas City for several seasons.
Linebacker Mason Foster, also just 26, is an aggressive, experienced former Bucs linebacker who averaged close to 90 tackles per season from 2011 to 2013 before losing his role in a new defensive system in Tampa Bay.
Another option, according to Levi Damien of SB Nation, might be that the Raiders at some point could make a trade to fill a need and take on a big salary – if they don’t like what they see in free agency.
Right now, they still have money to spend but it’s not certain where they’ll spend it.
