Raiders have offered a contract to free-agent Jadeveon Clowney
By Justin Fried
The Las Vegas Raiders have reportedly offered a contract to free-agent Jadeveon Clowney.
The Las Vegas Raiders made some major changes to their defense in 2020 — a defense that needed to be upgraded in a big way. But could they be on the verge of yet another huge addition in the form of Jadeveon Clowney?
The Raiders have reportedly offered the free-agent pass-rusher a contract per a recent report from Cecil Lammey of 104.3 The Fan. However, Lammey did state that two or three other teams have better offers on the table right now.
Clowney is shockingly still on the market as we approach mid-July despite being one of the top names in free agency going into the offseason. But for whatever reason, his market hasn’t developed in the way that he had hoped.
Perhaps the Raiders could benefit from the apparent lack of interest in the star edge defender.
Lammey went on to iterate that despite the Raiders’ bid being the lower one as of now, head coach Jon Gruden “really wants him.” That being said, owner Mark Davis and general manager Mike Mayock are “standing pat (for now).”
It certainly isn’t surprising to hear about Gruden’s apparent interest in Clowney. But at the same time, it isn’t surprising to hear that Mayock and company don’t want to overpay.
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Where would Jadeveon Clowney fit in with the Raiders?
It’s not as if the Raiders are desperate for pass-rush help at the moment. 2019 fourth-round pick Maxx Crosby was excellent in his rookie season and looks like a key building block of the defense going forward.
Meanwhile, 2019 first-round pick Clelin Ferrell had a disappointing rookie campaign, but will still be counted on as a crucial defensive piece in 2020. Signing Clowney would undoubtedly take snaps away from both of those players.
But Clowney wouldn’t be signed to help the pass rush as much as he would be added to help defend the run. The former No. 1 overall pick was one of the league’s best run defenders last season earning a near-elite 80.8 run-defense grade from Pro Football Focus.
While his sack numbers were down (only three sacks in 13 games), it’s clear that Clowney remains one of the better edge rushers in the NFL. But he may be asking for a little more than teams are willing to spend.
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It’s unclear how serious the Raiders’ reported interest in him is. But signing Clowney would no doubt be another huge addition to a much-improved defense.