After starting slow and later speeding up their pace, the Las Vegas Raiders can still make some moves in free agency. Besides signing players, they can also trade for a couple defensive backs that are being shopped, Anthony Harris and Darius Slay.
Knowing general manager Mike Mayock is not averse to making trades, here’s why the Raiders should pull the trigger without taking compensation into consideration.
The case for Darius Slay
The Raiders have already agreed to terms with players that will automatically improve their linebacker corps. They have also added depth at safety and defensive end. However, they haven’t added any cornerbacks so far. The corner market hasn’t materialized just yet and besides Byron Jones, there are many players that are up for grabs. One of the reasons said players are available is that there’s a wide gap between them and Jones talent wise.
Other than maybe Chris Harris, there aren’t many corners worth the money they’re asking for and Las Vegas is better off waiting for their prices to go down. Seeing Mayock sticking to a budget and savvy decision making, it’s not difficult to see why they have opted against signing free agents that demand retail compensation. Slay is relatively affordable and still is a difference maker. The Raiders have both liquidity and draft ammo to get Slay if they desire to do so.
Related: Raiders take over day two of free agency
Anthony Harris is still an option
After Minnesota applied the franchise to Harris, we thought the safety would be a no-go, but the Vikings have made it clear he can be had. It might be a long shot as the Raiders just signed Jeff Heat and LaMarcus Joyner might move back to safety, but Harris is more talented than the two of them so it doesn’t hurt to explore the possibility. Having said that, the well can dry at any moment and Mayock has to stop at some point in order to have a healthy salary cap. As good as the offseason additions have been, Las Vegas can’t sign everyone in free agency. Nonetheless, Harris is too talented not be considered and the general manager is not afraid to make trades.
Based on Mayock’s transaction history, we shouldn’t discard the possibility of the Raiders making trades. Let’s see if he keeps the pattern going or he breaks it.
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