The Oakland Raiders are coming into the 2015 offseason with over $50 million in salary cap space and they could be a very active team in free agency, as names like DeMarco Murray, Jermaine Gresham, Andre Johnson, Michael Crabtree, Torrey Smith, Shane Vereen and Andre Johnson could be potential targets for the team, while Adrian Peterson also could be in the mix if he is traded or released by the Vikings.
The Raiders have won just 11 games over the last three seasons and now owner Mark Davis is hoping that Jack Del Rio can lead team to a turnaround. According to Bill Williamson at ESPN.com, the Raiders are expected to be active in free agency, as they need playmakers on both sides of the ball and have the money to add some names. Williamson mentioned Randall Cobb, Jeremy Maclin, DeMarco Murray, Julius Thomas and Frank Gore as potential options on offense, but some of those players have already signed.
UPDATES: Roy Helu has signed with the RAIDERS. Torrey Smith has signed with the 49ERS. Dan Williams is reportedly signing with the Raiders, per ESPN.
--UPDATES upon UPDATES: DeMarco Murray has signed with the Philadelphia Eagles. Andre Johnson has signed with the Indianapolis Colts. Jordan Cameron has agreed to return to the Browns on a two year deal. Shane Vereen signed with the Giants. Jermaine Gresham could be an option for the Raiders at TE.
The team wanted to go after Ndamukong Suh, but he agreed with the Dolphins, while Cobb, Maclin and Gore also appear headed off the market. Williamson put out some more names following those moves, including Jordan Cameron, Owen Daniels, Ryan Mathews and DeMarco Murray. The Raiders have the money to pay Murray if they want and the Cowboys appear ready to let him walk in free agency. The Cowboys are hoping that a team like the Raiders doesn't step up for Murray, as they want to sign him at a reasonable price.
The Raiders are set to lose Darren McFadden to free agency and with him not likely to return, CJ Spiller, Adrian Peterson and Murray all could be targets along with Shane Vereen, Ben Tate and DeAngelo Williams. Torrey Smith reportedly likes the 49ers and could sign there, while Michael Crabtree could look at moving across the Bay area. Crabtree is not expected back with the Niners, while Vereen is considered a target for the Giants and the Seahawks. The Raiders were one of the worst offensive teams in the league last season and now they can try and add some weapons for Derek Carr.
The Raiders were interested in Randall Cobb, but he is returning to the Green Bay Packers on a four year deal. Packers wide receiver Randall Cobb has signed back with the team, inking a four year deal worth $40 million to keep playing with Aaron Rodgers and it comes after he was expected to be a main target for teams in free agency, including the Cleveland Browns, Philadelphia Eagles, New England Patriots, San Francisco 49ers, NY Jets, Indianapolis Colts, Oakland Raiders and Minnesota Vikings.
Cobb is coming off of a career season and was expected to cash in and the Packers wanted to keep him and Cobb himself said he wanted to stay in Green Bay. Some in the media thought it could come down to contract numbers, as teams like the Raiders and Browns were interested and had cap space, but he opted to remain with Green Bay. According to NFL.com, Cobb said that it was his "preference" to remain with the Packers and general manager Ted Thompson had said he was confident that Green Bay would keep him and now they have.