The Oakland Raiders decided to waive troubled linebacker and former first round pick Rolando McClain as they prepare for the NFL draft and one team's cut could be another one's gain, as the Baltimore Ravens could go after the recently waived former Alabama star.
According to ESPN.com, the Raiders waived McClain after a tumultuous 2012 campaign that saw him suspended from the team and his play on the field drop dramatically. The team gave his agent permission to seek a trade, but since he originally signed a large rookie deal, it was hard to move him from the roster. Now that he is a free agent, McClain could find work in Baltimore as well as other teams like the Bengals, Tennessee Titans, New Orleans Saints, Atlanta Falcons or the Green Bay Packers.
Last season McClain had just 60 tackles in 11 games, but he showed his worth the previous year by making a career high 99 tackles and five sacks. During his 41 game NFL career with the Raiders, he has 244 tackles, one forced fumble, one interception and 6.5 sacks. He played on a bad team that allowed nearly 120 rushing yards per game and despite his off the field issues, he could add depth and talent to a Ravens roster that needs it.
McClain could help replace the loss of a number of players, including Dannell Ellerbe and Paul Kruger, who both signed away in free agency with the Miami Dolphins and the Cleveland Browns respectively. The team also lost Bernard Pollard and Ray Lewis, as well as Anquan Boldin from last year's Super Bowl team.
The team had taken a look at McClain leading up to the draft in 2010, but he was selected too early for the Ravens to grab him anyway and now that he is a free agent he could be brought in for a cheaper deal. Any contract will likely be on the team's terms, as McClain had two incidents with police over the past few years, including when he was arrested for holding a gun at someone and also for giving a false name during a traffic stop.
McClain is still a young player and he is just one of a number of players the Raiders decided to move on from after using a high draft pick, including with Michael Huff (who is now a Raven) and wideout Darrius Heyward-Bey. The team also got rid of Carson Palmer by sending him to the Cardinals and brought in Matt Flynn from the Seahawks to be the new quarterback.
McClain can handle both defensive schemes around the NFL and he could be a target for both the Titans and the Saints, as both teams had very large defensive issues with the run last season. The Saints were one of the worst in the NFL, while the Titans were ranked 23rd in rushing defense. The Falcons could use him to add depth and with the Saints turning to Rob Ryan on defense, that could be the tough coach that McClain needs to get his game back together.