The Las Vegas Raiders’ defense had a hard time stopping opposing offenses from scoring with ease in 2020. While their pass rush was a liability, their secondary wasn’t much better. Heading into free agency, the Silver and Black need upgrades at safety and Tre Boston is one of those players nobody talks about that could help them turn things around.
The Carolina Panthers informed Boston they have released him, per Adam Schefter of ESPN. Although their official site doesn’t reflect the transaction, it will probably be a matter of time before it does. The North Carolina product signed a three-year $18 million contract last season and releasing him frees up just $883,332 in cap space with a $5.3 million dead cap hit, so it seems like finances might not have played a factor in his release. Rather, he may not have been a good fit in defensive coordinator Phil Snow’s scheme.
Last season, Boston posted a 49.9 Pro Football Focus grade. However, he had an 89.0 mark or better twice in the three years prior. The fact he played closer to the line of scrimmage might’ve played a factor. After all, the 2014 fourth-round pick is more effective in the back end. From 2017 to 2019, he logged 175 total tackles (three for a loss), one forced fumble, eight passes defensed, and 11 interceptions. The Raiders could use that kind of production from the safety position.
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Why signing Tre Boston makes sense for the Raiders?
Johnathan Abram hasn’t become what the Raiders expected when they drafted him in 2019. On the other hand, Erik Harris will likely hit the open market and the team doesn’t currently have a safety on the roster that can roam in the back end. Jeff Heath is solid but pass coverage isn’t his forte. Thus adding someone like Boston makes sense.
Boston has never made more than $8 million in a season and signing him wouldn’t be cost-prohibitive. In fact, he could be one of those bargain additions that end up having a big impact. Do you remember when the Raiders sign Richie Incognito in 2019 and how much their offensive line improve because of it? That’s the kind of impact Boston could have in their secondary.
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