2010 NFL Free Agency: Oakland Raiders Could Pluck Troy Smith from Ravens

With JaMarcus Russell an unknown factor and Bruce Gradkowski on his third NFL team in three years, the Oakland Raiders need to find its starter at the quarterback position and do it pronto!

 

When free agency starts this week, the Raiders could also help themselves mightily by finding a run-stuffing middle linebacker and perhaps bring in a veteran receiver to bolster the position.

 

And no...I don’t see Terrell Owens wearing the Silver and Black, but thanks for asking.

 

Here’s how things might play out as the NFL signing period begins to unfold (Thursday night at midnight EST).

 

The big names hitting the open market are headlined by Carolina’s Julius Peppers, San Diego’s Antonio Cromartie, and Cardinals linebacker Karlos Dansby.

 

LaDainian Tomlinson will have a limited market, and Sports Illustrated’s Peter King predicts Terrell Owens won’t find a home until after the 2010 NFL Draft.

 

So is Al Davis going to be in the mix, and how much is he ready to spend?

 

Grabbing any one of these aforementioned players would be an instant upgrade to a Raiders team that finished with double-digit losses for the seventh consecutive season.

 

But considering the fact that Oakland has already spent some $30 million to retain the services of Sebastian Janikowski and Richard Seymour, it’s likely that the Raiders will be conservative during free agency.  Just call it a hunch.

 

The Raiders seem to be relegated to the shallow end of the free agent pool, but there’s a great chance that Oakland has already lined up possible offensive line upgrades and a few skill positions.

 

Targeting Ravens backup quarterback Troy Smith and Derrick Mason for a ticket to Oakland might be the Raiders' best move of free agency.
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Oakland Raiders