Prioritizing The Oakland Raiders’ Free Agency Wish List By Need

3. A.J. Bouye

Oakland’s secondary was a bit of a train wreck at times last season. Though, to be fair, the play did improve over the course of the season. The defense doesn’t get a lot of credit for the improvement – mostly because the play early on was so incredibly abysmal. But the fact of the matter is that Oakland’s defense finished near the bottom of most statistical categories.

Though it starts up front, the lack of significant and consistent pressure, didn’t do any favors for David Amerson and Sean Smith. Again though, the secondary did improve over the course of the season.

But they could still use a little more help.

Adding a solid corner to play the slot would help alleviate some of the pressure and give the Raiders a more formidable secondary overall. And soon-to-possibly-be-former Texans corner A.J. Bouye could fill that hole quite nicely.

With the team expected to let 2013 first round pick D.J. Hayden walk after four disappointing season, the Raiders lack some depth in the secondary. Travis Carrie remains the only real viable option to play the slot and though he’s had some good flashes, he’s also had some issues with consistency.

Bouye is one of the top cornerbacks who will hit the open market and his services will undoubtedly be much sought after. Which means his price tag is probably going to be pretty steep.

The likely starting point in negotiations from Bouye’s end will be the nearly $14 million dollars the Texans didn’t offer him when they declined to tag him. But there’s always room to negotiate, right?

Adding a reliable corner in the slot is – or should be – relatively high on McKenzie’s priority list. But as with everything, it comes down to a matter of price. And though he’d be a solid add, Bouye may be expecting too much.