Oakland Raiders: McKenzie Owes It To This Team To Bring In Some Help

The Oakland Raiders have a desperate need for help in the middle of their defense – and should look to address that by bringing in veteran NaVorro Bowman.

The Oakland Raiders, for the second straight year, waited to address what has been a glaring need in the middle of their linebackers group until the later rounds of the 2017 NFL Draft. And for the second straight year, their rookie pick up has been a – disappointment.

The disappointing play of this year’s fifth-round pick, Marquel Lee, in addition to the less than stellar play of last year’s sixth-round pick, Cory James, has left Oakland’s defense in a lurch time and time again, weakening the unit as a whole.

But, should GM Reggie McKenzie decide to help fortify one (of a few) weak links on the defensive side of the ball (spoiler alert – he should), a big name surprisingly just became available – NaVorro Bowman.

Given the solid season Bowman has posted through five games the 29-year old Bowman seems fully recovered from injuries that wiped out most of his 2016 season. His 37 tackles (22 solo) led the team at the time of his release.

The former third-round pick, unhappy with his decreased playing time – and the direction the 49ers are obviously heading – was given his release by the team on Friday. In a statement announcing the move, 49ers GM John Lynch had this to say:

"“Thursday evening, [49ers coach] Kyle [Shanahan] and I met with NaVorro, and from our conversation it became evident that going in different directions was best for both him and our team. Although NaVorro may be moving on, he will always be looked at as one of the great players to wear the red and gold. We wish him and his family great success.”"

When he’s healthy – and aside from the 2016 injury, he’s been incredibly durable over his career, not missing a single game from the year he was drafted (2010) clear through to the fifth game of the 2016 season – he’s been one of the best inside linebackers in all of football.

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And given his showing through five games of the 2017 season, he’s back to playing at a very high level.

If McKenzie does the smart thing and pursues Bowman, it will, as these things do, of course, boil down to dollars and cents. Scheduled to make $6.75 million this season, Bowman is very likely going to be looking to make something in that neighborhood from whoever signs him.

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With, according to Over the Cap.com, just a tick under $9 million in current cap space, McKenzie would have to massage some numbers to make it work. Especially with an impending extension for superstar Khalil Mack staring him in the face.

But, if the will is there – and it really, really, really should be – it could be done.

The one thing the Raiders can offer Bowman that other teams can’t, is stability – having spent his eight-year career in San Francisco, it stands to reason that he and his family have built a life there. By signing with the Raiders, Bowman wouldn’t have to uproot his family and can maintain the life he’s built in the Bay Area.

If that stability and not having to uproot his family after eight seasons in the Bay Area matters to him, deal with Bowman would be a big win-win for both sides. And it’s a deal that makes absolute sense for both parties – Bowman gets to stay home and the Raiders get a productive, veteran presence in the middle of their defense.

Meaning that McKenzie, in the words of that ever-so-eloquent statesman and orator currently occupying the White House, should “move on him like a b**ch.” Bowman could potentially be a big difference maker on this Raiders defensive unit.

And with so much riding on this season, and a defense that needs help in the worst way possible, it would be madness to not bring him in.

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