The Oakland Raiders are coming into the 2015 offseason with cap money to spend and names like Ndamukong Suh, Randall Cobb, Julius Thomas, Jeremy Maclin or DeMarco Murray could be potential free agent options, while Andre Johnson, Marshawn Lynch and Adrian Peterson could be trade targets for the team this year, as Derek Carr needs some playmakers.
Jack Del Rio takes over as head coach for Dennis Allen and Tony Sparano from 2014 and Mark Davis said he thinks he can be the long term option for the team. The Raiders had two 4-12 seasons under Allen before firing him in the middle of last season and now Del Rio gets the chance to take over. GM Reggie McKenzie has made it through the salary cap breakdown over the past couple seasons and now he has the chance to spend again. Last year the team had a ton of cap space and now they have it again with a very deep class of players hitting the market.
According to Pro Football Talk, Ndamukong Suh and Julius Thomas are the top two targets for the Raiders this offseason, as they need playmakers on both sides of the ball. Suh reportedly is looking to become the highest paid defensive player in football and the Raiders could break the bank on him. Last season the team signed Justin Tuck, James Jones and other players, but they did not sign any "elite" free agents and now they have money to burn. Suh comes in after making 8.5 sacks last season and he is considered the best DT in the league and could cash in.
The raiders also could look at an Andre Johnson or Mike Wallace trade, as those players reportedly could be available this offseason. Johnson is getting up there in age and he could be on his way out of Houston, while Mike Wallace has had issues for the Dolphins. Maclin and Cobb are also potential targets, as the Eagles and Packers could get priced out depending on the offers those players get.
The Raiders come into the offseason after going 3-13 last year and they currently have the number four pick in the NFL draft. The team was just 1-5 against the AFC West division last year and they have to find a way to get better just within the division. The team was 26th in passing yards per game and 32nd in rushing yards, ranking last in the NFL. The team is very likely to go after an RB in the draft or free agency, while WR will also be a priority position.
Demaryius Thomas and Dez Bryant are the top wide receivers on the market, but both of those players are expected to sign back with their teams. Jeremy Maclin and Randall Cobb are both on the market along with Cecil Shorts and those names could be options for the Raiders to sign. The team has the number four pick and many have speculated they could look at Crimson Tide receiver Amari Cooper, as he is the top rated player at his position in the draft. Cooper is coming in after putting up 124 catches for 1727 yards and 16 touchdowns last season for Alabama.
