Oakland Raiders: A few possible FA targets for the frugal-minded

Kevin Minter (ILB)

After four pretty productive years in Arizona – okay, well two productive years once he became a regular starter — Kevin Minter was a hot name on the free agent circuit in 2017. Not finding any offers to his liking, Minter wound up signing a one-year “prove it” deal with Cincinnati.

Unfortunately for Minter – and perhaps fortunately for Gruden, McKenzie, and the Raiders — Minter failed to prove anything other than the Bengals were probably smart not to throw a long-term, big money deal at him in 2017.

Now, a free agent again, and coming off a season in which he played in just nine games (with seven starts), Minter is likely going to need to prove himself once more.

In his two years as a starter in Arizona, Minter didn’t miss a game, notching 175 tackles (131 solo), four sacks, and six passes defensed. He was strong against both the run and the pass.

In his nine games in Cincinnati – with just seven starts – Minter racked up 32 tackles (16 solo).

Though the Raiders could still re-sign NaVorro Bowman to man the middle of their defense (Spoiler Alert: They Should), Minter is an option should Bowman’s salary demand not be to their liking.

At six-foot, 246 pounds, Minter is roughly the same size as Bowman (though a bit heavier) and is also two years younger. He’s got plenty of speed and sharp instincts. And though a hamstring injury limited him last season, he also doesn’t have the length history of catastrophic injuries that Bowman does.

When healthy and on top of his game, Minter can be a force in the middle of a defense.

Minter’s one-year deal with the Bengals last season was for around $4 million. It’s possible that now, after a down year cut short by injury, Minter could be needing to take around that same figure (or potentially less) to prove he’s worth a longer-term, higher dollar investment.