The Oakland Raiders are in a tough spot on the offensive line and now the team could draft Greg Robinson or Jake Matthews in May after losing Roger Saffold back to the Rams after a failed physical and Reggie McKenzie has to keep things in order, as Michael Oher, Zach Strief, Evan Dietrich-Smith, Brian De La Puente or Ryan Wendell could be potential targets after signing Austin Howard from the Jets.
McKenzie took some flak for letting his own free agent go in Jared Veldheer and he signed with the Arizona Cardinals and that prompted the team to bring in Saffold, with many saying the tea overpaid. According to ESPN.com, the raiders may have had some buyer's remorse after inking him to that deal and that could be why the physical failed him and now he is back with the Rams. Menelik Watson is young and it is unclear if he can stay healthy and now that a number of players have signed, the team could look to the draft and players like Greg Robinson and Jake Matthews could be avail be for the team to draft at number five.
Anthony Collins and Michael Oher are on the market and the team could ask Oher to change positions and other options include guard Evan Dietrich-Smith, who is getting attention from the Giants as well. Saffold previously played with the Rams and the physical hinged on his shoulder and the Raiders did not clear him and now the team has lost a number of their own free agents, including Lamarr Houston, Rashad Jennings as well as Veldheer and the team brought back Darren McFadden on a one year deal. Update, Collins signed with Bucs.
One positive note is that the Raiders signed Justin Tuck to a deal and that makes losing Houston hurt a bit less, although Tuck is not as good as Houston based on his age. Tuck comes in after having a very good season last year and that followed two rough seasons with injuries and he had 11 sacks in 2013 and he brings leadership and championship experience, as he won two Super Bowls with the Giants and had huge sacks in both games. Tuck has made a name for himself as a solid pass rusher and he has over 60 sacks in his career and is already in the top 100 in NFL history. He added 10 or more sacks in four seasons in the league and now comes west.
Houston left the team to sign a five year deal with the Bears and Veldheer left to sign a five year deal with the cardinals and many fans were confused, as both players were identified by McKenzie as the most important free agents to re-sign. The Raiders had over $60 million in cap space to spend and while the brought in Tuck, so far they have not made a splash and that could be coming soon. Hakeem Nicks could be a potential option and the team may also look to quarterback in names like Michael Vick and Jason Campbell or in the draft as well with Johnny Manziel and Blake Bortles.
