General manager Reggie McKenzie is trying to build something more stable and to do that he needs a good foundation. The offensive and defensive lines are that foundation. McKenzie had six draft picks in 2011 and spent three of them on the lines.
Utah defensive tackle Star Lotulelei is a player McKenzie should have on his short list of players to draft No. 3 overall. If McKenzie is unable to trade down, he needs to take the best player available. With a plethora of needs, McKenzie has the luxury of sticking to his board and Lotulelei should be near the top.
The Raiders also have a lot of free agents on the defensive line in 2013 and they will need a defensive tackle. Lotulelei also might be the best player available in the entire draft and there is no guarantee he even falls to the Raiders.
Richard Seymour, Desmond Bryant and Matt Shaughnessy will all be able to test the open market as free agents. The Raiders will likely try to bring back Bryant, but Seymour is likely gone. Shaughnessy could be brought back if the price is right, but he’s probably not a priority unless the Raiders consider a switch to the 3-4.
According to spotrac.com, Tommy Kelly has a $9.4 million cap number in 2013. The Raiders would save at least Kelly’s base salary of $6.5 million if they were to release him. The Raiders might be looking for a little cap flexibility and they can get it by releasing Kelly. With that money the Raiders might be able to sign two free agents elsewhere.
Looks the Part
The only player that’s a lock to be a starter on Oakland’s defensive line in 2013 is Lamarr Houston. The only thing scarier than such a paltry defe...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Oakland Raiders
