The Oakland Raiders have a number of needs at various positions and after making a big play for quarterback Matt Flynn, the team plan for the NFL draft has a very different picture, with Geno Smith falling off the board and option like tight ends Zach Ertz and Tyler Eifert rising.
According to ESPN.com, free agent Fred Davis resigned with the Washington Redskins, taking one of the top tight end targets off the market as the Raiders search for a replacement for Brandon Myers, who signed with the New York Giants. SI.com is also reporting that the team is nearing closer to a deal for Matt Flynn, which would change up the option of drafting Geno Smith at number three, possibly giving the Raiders Dee Milliner or one of the highly touted linemen.
The possibilities at tight end also change for the team, as both Zach Ertz and Tyler Eifert are considered to be elite talents and could help the team move on from last year's 4-12 disappointment. The Raiders have a big need at tight end after letting Myers go to the Giants, as he led the team with 79 catches for 806 yards and four touchdowns while also working well with Carson Palmer.
The Raiders are working on getting rid of Palmer after not being able to reach an agreement on a pay cut and he completed over 70 percent of his passes to Myers, making him the top receiver on the team last year. Oakland was looking at Kellen Winslow and Davis, but now their attention must turn elsewhere after the Redskins re-signed him.
According to ESPN.com, Davis signed a one-year deal after flirting with the Jets and he was leading the team with 24 catches for over 300 yards last year when he was injured against the Giants in October. In 2011 he had 59 catches for 796 yards before being suspended for the final four games due to a drug issue and will give Robert Griffin another receiving option.
Ertz and Eifert are considered two of the top tight ends to come out in years, which is one reason the Raiders are interested. The two have been very productive over the past three seasons, including Ertz, who last year had 69 catches, 898 yards and six touchdowns after scoring nine touchdowns the previous two seasons.
Eifert had 50 catches, 685 yards and four touchdowns last season as Notre Dame made the national championship, while he came off a season of 63 catches for over 800 yards and five touchdowns in 2011.
The Raiders were one of the worst offensive teams in the NFL last season and after having a new starting quarterback this year, they will need some solid receivers to help the transition and the tight ends could be prime targets.
