Free agency has settled down considerably, but that does not mean teams are not still looking for any potential upgrades.
As is often the case, many talented players have slipped through the cracks during the initial wave of signings. At this stage, teams are likely waiting for the draft, hoping the board falls favorably and allows them to fill positions of need. However, should there still be an issue, teams will once again scour the free agent market to see who they can find left available.
The Las Vegas Raiders are no exception to this, and they should be gearing up to make at least a couple of moves.
The Raiders were named as a perfect fit for two of the best remaining free agents.
According to Moe Moton of Bleacher Report, the Raiders are a fit with both cornerback Mike Hilton and wide receiver Elijah Moore.
Starting with Hilton, he has been one of the most consistent slot cornerbacks throughout the league in recent years.
“He’s logged at least five pass breakups, four tackles for loss and an interception every year,” Moton wrote. “Additionally, he has allowed a passer rating of 92 or below in coverage for seven out of eight campaigns.”
“In consecutive terms, Hilton has logged 12 tackles for loss. So, even just into his 30s, he hasn’t lost a step in playing downhill to stop ball-carriers in the backfield.”
Given how the offseason has played out so far, it is somewhat surprising the Raiders have not asked about Hilton yet.
The departure of slot cornerback Nate Hobbs to the Green Bay Packers left a significant void in that spot on the defense. While the Raiders have made some moves to bolster the secondary, none of them are a true replacement to Hobbs. Adding Hilton is the perfect remedy, providing stable play on all three downs.
Whereas Hilton is the more reliable commodity, Moore stands as one of the best upside bids on the free agent market.
“Elijah Moore is one of the few free agents in his prime with room for growth. He’s played two seasons with the New York Jets and Cleveland Browns, teams with suboptimal quarterback situations over the last few years,” wrote Moton on Moore. “Yet every year in the league, the 25-year-old has racked up at least 538 receiving yards as a secondary or tertiary option in passing attacks that ranked 15th or worse in total yards.”
“On a team with a stable quarterback situation, Moore could see a significant spike in production. He can line up out wide or in the slot and make plays out of the backfield.”
With the Raiders leaning more towards Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty in the draft, they will likely still need to add a reliable playmaker in the passing game.
Tight end Brock Bowers and wide receiver Jakobi Meyers are both strong options, but the Raiders should try to take some pressure off of them to produce. Moore adds some intrigue to offensive coordinator Chip Kelly’s gameplan with his versatility, allowing for some creative sets to get the ball in his hands. He is also young enough to fit with the Raiders’ current timeline, providing another potential receiver for the team to build with.
Hilton and Moore might be waiting for calls at the moment, but the Raiders should pick up the phone at the first opportunity.
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