The Oakland Raiders have hired Jack Del Rio as their new head coach and now Reggie McKenzie can look towards 2015, as the team has major holes on the roster and that could lead to the Raiders targeting DeMarco Murray, Jeremy Maclin, Frank Gore or Ndamukong Suh in free agency or exploring a trade for Adrian Peterson, Andre Johnson, Mike Wallace or Larry Fitzgerald.
The Raiders are coming off of another disappointing season, but the team has a nice core of young talent, salary cap space and draft picks heading into the 2015 offseason. While the playoffs may be a big stretch in 2015, the team can compete in the AFC with another solid draft in April. According to ESPN.com writer Bill Williamson, the Raiders are expected to hang on to their number four pick in the draft this year and they are looking at offensive playmakers, with Amari Cooper being the likely selection.
Williamson wrote in his year-end column for the Raiders that the team likely will look at the free agent market again this offseason. The team did not get anything on the ground rushing the ball this season, but they did get to see Latavius Murray breakout and with Darren McFadden a free agent, the Raiders could look at adding more to the backfield. Maurice Jones-Drew was not productive at all and if the Dallas Cowboys get priced out on Murray because they sign Dez Bryant back, the Raiders could step up.
The Raiders were not a good offensive or defensive team last season and the rushing attack was ranked worst in the NFL. McFadden finished with just over 500 yards rushing and Maurice Jones-Drew was basically a non-factor. The team has Murray, but they also could target names like DeMarco Murray, Frank Gore and Ryan Mathews, as all of those players are free agents. Murray is likely to stay in Dallas, but the team already has Tony Romo signed and they have to get Dez Bryant's new deal done as well.
Some other free agent targets may include Maclin, Suh and Eddie Royal, as those players are hitting the market and the Raiders sure could use some offensive talent. The team likes Derek Carr after the way he played as a rookie last season, but they need more playmakers on offense. The team has a nice amount of cap money and they could spend again after signing Justin Tuck and James Jones last year. Maclin is coming off of a great season with the Eagles and he could leave Philly, while Suh is likely to sign away from the Lions with all of his baggage.
The team also may look at trades, as there are a number of wide receivers that could be available this offseason. The Cardinals may look at getting rid of Larry Fitzgerald, while Mike Wallace has fallen a bit out of favor in Miami and Houston has Andre Johnson on a large contract at 33 years old. The Texans and Johnson may work out a new deal, while the Cardinals and Fitzgerald may not be able to, as the wide receiver is set to make over $16 million. The Raiders have the number four pick in the draft and many think the team will go offense after the way things went this year.