MVN: Most Valuable Network

Grady Jackson in his earlier stint in Oakland brings down Terrell Davis

Almost daily, I read comments from the Raider Nation contemplating, proposing, and even campaigning for free agents that they'd like to see the Oakland Raiders sign. Until June 1st, it's unlikely the Raiders will sign many, if any free agents. According to Fox Sports, the Raiders are sitting at $106,555,076, while the cap is $116 million. That leaves only $9,444,924, roughly a little less that Nnamdi Asomugha is due when he signs his tender for being the Raiders franchise player. Since the Raiders somehow always find a way to fit everyone under the cap, it's not out of the realm of possibility that they may find a way to sign a few of these free agents still available.

These are the first tier free agents, meaning that they are good depth pickups and possible starters. Saying first tier in no way means that they could start and go to the pro bowl on any team in the league. All that first tier will mean is that the player would be a good backup, and if called upon could do a decent job as a starter.

QB - Now that Tuiasosopo has returned, it's highly unlikely the Raiders will do anything on this front. There are still a couple of first tier guys waiting on a contract.

• Daunte Culpepper
• Kelly Holcomb
• Trent Dilfer
• Byron Leftwich

None of those guys are a good fit in Kiffin's offense. They all have good enough arm strength, but none of them are deadly accurate. My favorite free agent for Kiffin's offense would be Tim Rattay, who is more mobile than the quarterbacks above and has decent accuracy.

RB - This is definitely a position the Raiders don't need, nor would I expect them to pickup a veteran. It's more likely that the Raiders will be cutting some of the runningbacks that they have now.

• Kevin Jones
• Musa Smith
• Michael Pittman

Pittman is probably too old, Musa Smith is intriguing in the right setting, and if Kevin Jones could play for 16 games without pouting, he might be pretty good. I also like the human Mack truck, Samkon Gado.

FB - This is another position the Raiders are set at, and although it would be nice for them to have an H-back type guy on the practice squad, none of these guys are available for that position.

• Lorenzo Neal
• Dan Kreider

If the Raiders needed to sign another full back due to injury, Neal would definitely be a good call.

WR - We've heard much about the Raiders lack of receiving threat. Although I'd be interested to see if one of the young receivers that are currently on the squad can step up, there are still a couple of options still available that could be gotten for a low price.

• Peerless Price
• David Givens
• Chris Henry

By 'couple' I really didn't mean two, I guess. There are veteran possession receivers like Moulds, McCardell, and Dwight available, but they are really long in the tooth and should only be considered in the most dire cases.

TE - The Raiders are so deep at this position that Wakefield is playing defensive end. If the Raiders aren't able to find a compliment to the law firm Miller and Madsen, then they may keep looking to the wire.

• Jerramy Stevens
• Kyle Brady
• Jason Dunn
• Stephen Alexander

Stevens is a talented tight end when he's not letting his mouth or penchant for trouble get in the way. He's the type of player that most would call a prototypical Raider, long on talent and scuffs with the law.

OT - It's nearly a universal thought that the Raiders could use at least one more tackle. Due to the zone blocking system, it's highly unlikely that a player that Tom Cable would want, is amongst the top available.

• John Welbourn
• Anthony Clement
• Barry Sims

See what I mean? When Sims is amongst the top available, you can bet that the Raiders have already found some diamond in the rough somewhere and only THEY know who it is.

OG - I think the Raiders are pretty much set at this position. Most of their lineman play this position when they aren't playing at the OC or OT spots.

• Chris Naeole
• Shane Olivea
• Blaine Saipaia

OC - This is another position that the Raiders are set at. Having signed John Wade to go along with Chris Morris and Jake Grove, this is definitely NOT a position of need.

• Jeremy Newberry
• Ryan Kuehl
• Matt Katula

If the Raiders didn't want Newberry, it's highly unlikely they wanted anyone else besides Wade.

S - With the signing of Gibril Wilson and the drafting of Tyvon Branch, along with the release of Schweigert the Raiders seem to have what they want at the position, but there are a couple of guys that could be looked at.

• Kenoy Kennedy
• Deke Cooper
• Michael Doss

None of these guys really intrigue me. Kennedy would be a nice backup and it would be kind of cool to see a Cooper and Cooper tandem on special teams, but it's highly unlikely that these guys can come in and beat out our current crop of safeties.

CB - Do the Raiders really need another corner? They are at least three deep and Chris Johnson became pretty dependable as the season wore on last year. With the Randy Moss compensation called John Bowie, I can't see them even looking at another corner that's been in the league longer than four years.

• Andre Dyson
• Ty Law
• Kelly Herndon

Nobody here is going to crack the squad, unless they can bypass the Randy Moss compensation pick.

LB - With Ed Hartwell in the fold, and two positions already assured, the Raiders need to take a look at players that can fill the strong side. Even if they run the 3-4, Hartwell would be a good fit on the inside with Morrison.

• Rosevelt Colvin
• Takeo Spikes
• Odell Thurman
• Lemar Marshall

Any of these guys would seem to be able to come in and compete. Many have wanted to see the Raiders sign Thurman, but a former teammate, Marshall may be better with less trouble. Spikes is injury prone, but plays well when called upon and Colvin is solid, but may be having trouble coming back from injury.

DE - Many have written and talked about the Raiders need for another defensive end. This seems to be the least settled position on the roster to this point, but something tells me the Raiders will bring in another lineman before the season starts.

• Renaldo Wynn
• Erasmus James
• Jerome McDougle

It's pretty slim out on the free agent market for defensive ends. Another guy that may have been looked at would be Darrion Scott, but he'll have to find a team in the penal league. Scott, you may recall, is the guy who likes to play "Who wants to be forced to put a plastic bag over their head?" with his son. I guess it's a take on 'Who wants to be a Millionaire?' Real winner there.

DT - If the Raiders are serious about stopping the run, they will want as much competition here as possible. Due to salary cap rules, besides Tommy Kelly and Terdell Sands, no other player is assured a spot on the team.

• Rod Coleman
• Grady Jackson
• Ethan Kelley
• Anthony McFarland

It's ironic that the two top DT's left are former Raiders. McFarland might be damaged goods, so that would leave Kelley if the Raiders weren't too keen on re-signing their castoffs.

Many will tell you that NFL teams don't get rid of guys worth keeping. That's usually true in trades and normally the case in free agents. In other words, if they were worth keeping around, they'd be on a team by now. Of course, the good ones get snapped up quickly and there's always the case of the salary cap leaving guys free to test the market, but for the most part, it's very rare to find a Derrick Burgess or Rich Gannon off the scrap heap and have them put in Pro Bowl seasons for you.

Whatever the Raiders decide to do, they'll more than likely be addressing a flaw in their own lineup for as much as they can possibly afford. With the need to sign Asomugha by June 15th and having to still sign Darren McFadden for big bucks, they must have some sort of magical secret weapon that will enable them to get everyone in and under the cap. If/when I find out what it is, you can be sure that we'll have it here at TFDS.

Just mowing the grass here at TFDS.