Raiders still hunting top talent in NFL free agency, within reason

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The Raiders are not necessarily looking to make a splash in NFL free agency. This isn’t, after all, about optics.

They are interested in making immediate and dramatic upgrades to a lackluster defense especially, with the salary cap space and gumption to pull a big deal off for a coveted player.

They weren’t particularly successful doing so last year, with Trent Brown being the only big-money signing to come up smelling like roses. The Tyrell Williams and Lamarcus Joyner deals smell a smidge different, though there’s hope for better in 2020.

That didn’t prevent the Raiders from trolling for big fish again this year, especially at cornerback and linebacker. Jon Gruden and Mike Mayock went hard after former Dallas cornerback Byron Jones, only to get bested by Miami’s massive last-minute offer.

They’re still in on Cory Littleton, a source said, a former Los Angeles Ram and an ideal modern linebacker with excellent coverage ability and would pair well with reported Monday addition Nick Kwiatkoski on the interior. He could end up costing eight figures in average annual salary, maybe as much as $15 million per year. That would be a hefty sum for a team previously loathe to pay big for interior linebackers. At 26 and with his skill set, Littleton might be worth it.

They remain undeterred in their aim to sign a shutdown cornerback to play opposite Trayvon Mullen, with Chris Harris Jr. now in their sights. They fully understand veteran cover men are expensive and are willing to pay the price for a premium position.

They have limits, something that was clear in the Jones pursuit and in several instances since Mayock came aboard last year. The Raiders GM has patience and discipline in these proceedings despite Gruden’s power of final say, executing the draft extremely well, with several trade-downs that still netted coveted prospects.

Harris will be cheaper than Jones at age 31 and prefers playing outside despite owning significant experience in the slot. Joyner seems poised to stay there despite his abilities at free safety. The Raiders also reportedly went after Jimmie Ward, who ended up re-signing with the 49ers.

There’s a possibility a receiver comes aboard at some point in this process, and those guys don’t come cheap either.

That doesn’t mean they’re splash signings designed to sell tickets upon entering the Las Vegas market in 2020. The Raiders are willing to pay top dollar for their guy, but they won’t overpay for the P.R. bump. That’s important to remember as we proceed through this crazy week. The Raiders want top-tier impact players but won’t go above a set ceiling to get them.

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We’d be remiss if we didn’t continue to address one guy the Raiders have set a high ceiling to get.

That’s Tom Brady.

While the Raiders reportedly aren't among the frontrunners, they would make a hard sell to get him in silver and black and pay top dollar to make that happen. The NFL world waits for Brady’s decision and, if the Raiders have an off chance to push for him, they’ll try to make it happen. That said, it seems likely the Silver and Black go into 2020 with Derek Carr as the starting quarterback and Marcus Mariota pushing him from the No. 2 slot.

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