The Oakland Raiders are in the market for a big-time playmaker that can help make Derek Carr's job easier in 2015. Last season, the wide receiver job was done by a committee. The Raiders lacked No. 1 go-to target and it showed. The leading wide receiver finished with just 693 yards. The Raiders are looking to bring someone in that can record over 1,000 for the year and that could come at the expense of other players on the roster.
Head coach Jack Del Rio made it clear that investing in help for Carr is a top priority and free agency will be a good way for Oakland to load up on talent at the wide receiver and running back spots, but that means certain players will get released.
Running back help is a top priority. Darren McFadden will exit in free agency and it is likely Maurice Jones-Drew will follow. Wasting salary cap space on two running backs that failed heavily in 2014 is not an option for Oakland. The team will move forward with breakout star Latavius Murray while likely also working in fullback Marcel Reece. The Raiders should not over-spend at the running back spot, but getting in a more productive veteran like Frank Gore or CJ Spiller who will come relatively cheap could be a solid move for Oakland.
The wide receiver spot is where the team really needs assistance. According to ESPN.com, the Raiders could have upwards of $47 million to spend this offseason which makes them a prime landing spot for big names. Players like Denarius Moore, Andre Holmes and Rod Streater are all free agents this offseason. Of those three, Holmes is the only candidate to get re-signed considering he did lead the team in receiving. James Jones will likely stick around as well.
Bleacher Report makes a case for several big names the Raiders should consider targeting this offseason. Dez Bryant, Demaryius Thomas and Randall Cobb are the top targets. While all three of those players are first looking for contracts from their respective teams, Oakland has the cap space to offer more money. The Raiders are no longer the least desirable landing spot for talent as Carr and Del Rio represent a bright future for the franchise. If they could land a wide receiver like the ones listed, the team could slowly turn into a threat again.
