Raiders’ GM Reggie McKenzie Must Get Free Agency Right in 2015
By Kevin Saito
If there has been one weakness (only one?) in Reggie McKenzie‘s game as the general manager of the Oakland Raiders, it is without a doubt, his free agent signings. To his credit though, unlike the late Al Davis, McKenzie has been a bit more judicious with the team’s money, signing free agents to contracts that don’t strap the team financially. Unfortunately, you tend to get what you pay for and McKenzie has gotten very little bang for his buck.
For Oakland to build upon the momentum they began to gather at the end of last season, McKenzie absolutely, positively, must get it right in free agency this offseason.
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Having cut his teeth in Green Bay, where dumping loads of cash on free agents is as nearly unheard of as temperatures above 70 degrees, McKenzie is predisposed to a severe case of frugality. The fact that he opened up the checkbook – if only a little – to sign the free agents he brought to Oakland in 2014 seemed like a wild spending spree for McKenzie.
But as has been the case over the course of his tenure, for the most part, the players he brought in as free agents haven’t panned out very well.
Of the bounty of free agents McKenzie brought in last season, arguably, only Justin Tuck, Donald Penn, and James Jones had a positive impact on the team. Most of his signings, players like Kevin Booth, Austin Howard, Tarell Brown, Carlos Rogers, Antonio Smith, Darren McFadden, and Maurice Jones-Drew, among others, varied from “okay” to “outright awful” in their play during the 2014 season.
Perhaps the biggest dud of McKenzie’s 2014 free agent class was LaMarr Woodley. Signed to a two-year deal, Woodley was an absolute non-factor in the six games he played in Silver and Black. Brought in to help revitalize a virtually, non-existent pass rush, Woodley recorded just five tackles and zero sacks before a torn triceps muscle ended his season.
While signing free agents is always a gamble, McKenzie seems to have rolled snake eyes more often than not. But with a core of young talent heading into the 2015 season, headlined by the likes of Derek Carr, Latavius Murray, Khalil Mack, Travis Carrie, and Sio Moore, it is incumbent upon McKenzie to surround them with talented free agents who will be impact players for the Raiders.
Dec 28, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Torrey Smith (82) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
One of McKenzie’s biggest priorities this offseason should be getting Carr some weapons. He should absolutely re-sign restricted free agent Rod Streater, whom he can probably have at a reasonable price. With Jeremy Maclin, Dez Bryant, Demaryius Thomas, Julius Thomas, Randall Cobb, and Torrey Smith set to hit the market, McKenzie should be able to land a top flight free agent receiver for Carr to throw to.
Given that this year’s draft is rich with receiving talent, the Raiders will be able to further augment their receiving corps with solid young players as well.
Next up on the priority list should be adding players to the defense. While pursuing Ndamukong Suh remains a possibility – though it’s looking more remote – McKenzie might be able to add some talent who can step in almost immediately through the draft.
McKenzie should – if he’s available – take USC’s Leonard Williams with the fourth overall pick. Williams is a special talent, and just the sort of impact player the Raiders need in their defensive front. Adding Williams to the defensive mix would give the Raiders a legitimate pass rush, and a defensive unit that can really get after the quarterback.
Another glaring area of need for Oakland is in the secondary. Though Carrie and DJ Hayden have showed brief flashes of brilliance, both had their problems with consistency – not to mention staying healthy. A solid secondary is critical to defensive success. Neither Rogers nor Brown proved to be an answer last season, so McKenzie is going to have to look elsewhere for help.
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Because young DB’s take time to develop and adjust to the pro game, the quickest way to address the team’s need for help in the defensive backfield is through free agency. Pickings might be a little slim in free agency when it comes to defensive backs, but there are a couple of veteran guys – Antonio Cromartie and Brandon Flowers – that might be able to step in and have an immediate impact for Oakland. Not only that, they will be able to teach the youngsters how to be an NFL corner.
The Raiders have many holes to fill this offseason. Some of them will be filled through the draft, while the team will have to rely on free agents to fill others. Armed with a $50 million dollar warchest to spend this offseason, McKenzie must vow to spend it. Of course, he should be somewhat frugal and judicious with the money, he must also not be afraid to open up the purse strings.
To win in the NFL takes talent. And talent costs money. While not overpaying for players in decline is a good thing, as is not saddling the team with terrible contracts, McKenzie must not be afraid to go big game hunting this offseason. He must target some of the marquee names on the free agent list and go after them with both barrels.
If the Raiders are going to go anywhere, any time soon, McKenzie absolutely has to get it right in free agency this offseason.
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