The Oakland Raiders have done a good job this offseason of bringing in players as they have lost them, including when they signed Kevin Burnett after losing Phillip Wheeler to the Dolphins and they could be pulling a similar move again, as they try to replace starting tight end Brandon Myers.
According to ESPN.com, Myers signed a deal with the New York Giants after visiting with the team over the weekend and now the Raiders are down another players on offense. Myers was a key part of the passing game last season, leading the team with 79 catches for 806 yards and four touchdowns. On top of that, quarterback Carson Palmer completed over 70 percent of the passes that he threw to Myers, more than anyone else on the team.
The Giants needed another tight end after losing Martellus Bennett to the Chicago Bears on a four year deal after he had a breakout season, now the Raiders are in the same position. The team has some financial issues, so they could look at some of the lower level free agent tight ends, including Fred Davis, Benjamin Watson or Dallas Clark
Davis is coming off of an injury plagued season that saw him play in just seven games while making 24 catches for 325 yards and zero touchdowns, but his lack of production and the fact that he is coming of an injury may make him affordable to the Raiders. He played in 16 games in two out of the previous three years before the injury and made 59 receptions in 2011 for 796 yards and three touchdowns. It also could be beneficial as he and Carson Palmer both went to USC.
The Browns have shown interest in Davis as well according to ESPN Insider Adam Schefter, but if they sign him, the Raiders could then go after the Browns' own free agent tight end in Benjamin Watson, who also could be affordable to the team due to his age and production from last season. Schefter reported that sources said the Browns "are serious about signing him." UPDATE: They weren't serious enough, as the Saints signed him to a three-year deal.
Watson played in all 16 games and has been a healthy player during his career and he made 49 catches for 501 yards for Cleveland last season. He spent his first six years with the Patriots and played the last three in Cleveland, missing only three games and making nearly 50 catches in two out of his three seasons. In 2010 he had his best year with 68 catches for 763 yards and he could be a good target for Palmer to make up for Meyers. UPDATE: Watson will now catch passes in New Orleans from Drew Brees.
The Raiders missed out on the top tight ends in Jared Cook and Anthony Fasano, but if those two don't work out another option could be Dallas Clark, who is possibly re-signing with the Buccaneers. Clark played in all 16 games last season and made 47 catches for 434 yards and four touchdowns. According to the Tampa Tribune, the Bucs are trying to sign him, but there is a chance that he could move on to a team like the Raiders.
Oakland also needs to improve in the secondary and adding someone like Brent Grimes could help bolster a passing defense that ranked 20th in the league in yards per game. The team could get Grimes at a decent price, as he is coming off of a serious injury that knocked him out of 15 games last year.
Grimes is one of the most consistent defenders for the Falcons over the past few years and he made the Pro Bowl in 2010 after picking off five passes. He can play man and zone coverage and he is an athletic corner that could help stabilize the secondary.