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Oakland Raiders: Free Agents Still Up For Grabs Who Won’t Break The Bank

By Kevin Saito

Oct 25, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders fans pose from the stands during the second quarter of the game against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Oakland won 37-29. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 25, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders fans pose from the stands during the second quarter of the game against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Oakland won 37-29. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oakland Raiders
October 9, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders linebacker Perry Riley Jr. (54) forces a fumble by Oakland Raiders tight end Ryan O’Malley (85) during the first quarter at Oakland Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

Perry Riley Jr. (ILB)

Probably the best solution to Oakland’s dilemma at the inside linebacker spot, would be to bring back Perry Riley Jr., who played very well for them after being picked up off the scrap heap a few games into last season.

Riley was solid against the run and was decent enough against the pass. At the very least, he’s not a liability on the field on passing downs and can be a three-down backer.

In eleven games with the Silver and Black last season, Riley compiled 48 tackles (38 solo), a pass defensed, and tallied a couple of forced fumbles. He was as steadying an influence in the middle of the Raiders defense as they’ve had in quite a while.

While he’s solid, athletic, and well-rounded, Riley isn’t quite a household name. And there hasn’t been a tremendous amount of buzz surrounding the linebacker on the free agent market. That should help keep his price tag down.

As a long-time friend of Bruce Irvin, Perry could possibly be inclined to return to the Raiders on a team friendly deal.

If nothing else materializes, the Raiders would do well to bring Riley back – they could certainly do worse.

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