The Oakland Raiders are in one of the best positions as the NFL draft approaches, as they have the number three pick and are in position to select a high impact player ahead of many other teams and the targets include Sharrif Floyd and Eric Fisher.
According to Golden Gate Sports, one option for the Raiders that may affect their draft is to sign free agent wide receiver Brandon Lloyd, who was not retained by the Patriots and previously played in the Bay Area for the 49ers. The team has a need at wide receiver and instead of selecting someone like Tavon Austin or Robert Woods, they may go after Lloyd as a free agent.
Last season Lloyd had high expectations and only made 74 catches after Tom Brady targeted him over 120 times and he scored just four touchdowns while making 12.4 yards per catch. Lloyd is a solid receiver and has proven over the years that he can make tough catches on the sidelines and he could be a deep threat for the Raiders. He was drafted in 2003 and has gotten over 1,000 yards receiving just once, but Matt Flynn could help turn him into a solid option again.
The team has Jacoby Ford and Denarius Moore and the addition of Lloyd could be a veteran presence among the young stars as they develop. Ford has had issues with durability during his career and since the team lost Brandon Myers at tight end, they need someone to make up for his production, which led the team with 79 catches for over 800 yards.
The Raiders cut former first round pick Darrius Heyward-Bey this offseason and still need to add receivers and they may use Lloyd instead of the draft. Moore made just 33 receptions last season for first downs, while Lloyd made 50 with the Pats. Other teams like the Bills and Chargers could go after Lloyd, but he likely would be a good fit for the Raiders, who are in a tough financial situation and need a receiver on the cheap.
Lloyd had solid years in San Francisco and a return to the Bay Area may be what the receiver needs to get back into shape with a $2-3 million deal. The Raiders ranked eighth in passing yards per game last season and if they want Matt Flynn to do it again they will need some more weapons. The team also could go after free agent linebacker Brian Urlacher, as he is still without a team and they could use more depth at the position.
