The Oakland Raiders have quietly been remaking their defense during this offseason, adding Kevin Burnett and Nick Roach to replace Phillip Wheeler and the team could still continue to make moves, including the possibility of signing Brian Urlacher at linebacker.
According to ESPN.com, analyst John Clayton said that linebacker Brian Urlacher could end up in the AFC West with the Oakland Raiders or Denver Broncos, with the San Diego Chargers being a wild card option. Urlacher is planning on signing with a new team after not being able to come to an agreement with the Chicago Bears on a new deal after 13 seasons.
Clayton said that Urlacher could sign with Denver as a backup option if any of their linebackers goes down and could push young star Nate Irving. The Raiders could be an option as Urlacher played last season with Nick Roach and he could bring experience and veteran leadership to a defense in transition.
The Broncos were one of the top teams in the NFL last season and are poised to get even better after adding wide receiver Wes Welker as another option for Peyton Manning. The Raiders were one of the worst teams in the NFL last season and allowed over 235 passing yards per game. Urlacher could also help in the running game, as the team allowed almost 120 yards on the ground per game, ranking 18th in the league.
The Raiders lost a number of players over the offseason, including Desmond Bryant and Phillip Wheeler, who signed with the Browns and the Dolphins respectively. The team also cut veteran safety Michael Huff and could be in the market for a cornerback after having two starting spots open up from last season. The team could go after a free agent like Brent Grimes or wait for someone in the draft, including Alabama's Dee Milliner.
Carson Palmer had a solid season for the team last year, but he has the highest salary cap number on the team and the Raiders have been trying to work out a restructured deal. So far the two sides have yet to some to an agreement and if they do not, there is a chance the team could train him and go after Geno Smith in the draft or another quarterback on the free agent market.
The Raiders finished the season with two straight losses after winning 15-0 against Kansas City, while the team lost eight of their final nine games. The Raiders opened with four losses in five games to start the season and never could recover. Three of the four wins this season came against Kansas City and Jacksonville, who combined for four wins on the year.