The Oakland Raiders were happy with their 7-9 record this past year largely due to the improvements made by second-year players Derek Carr and Khalil Mack. The sophomore duo took major strides and emerged as legitimate franchise building blocks in 2015. Beyond them, rookie wide receiver Amari Cooper appears to be a star in the making, giving head coach Jack Del Rio and general manager Reggie McKenzie another cornerstone to build around. While the Raiders realize that they've accrued this impressive young core through the draft, they also know that their roster can be improved through free agency.
In recent years, Oakland has not been a popular destination for free agents. The constant turnover and instability in the front office and at the head coaching position would turn off any prospective employee. All that losing didn't help either. But now, with a boatload of salary cap space and an attractive nucleus, the Raiders may finally be ready to make a splash on the open market.
The Raiders have a whopping $74.1 million in salary cap space this off season, the second-most in the league behind the Jacksonville Jaguars (around $80 million). They also know where they will be playing next season - Oakland - and hold options to stay at the Coliseum for the next two years if they so choose. That can be used to present a picture of stability to free agents in the coming weeks and perhaps add a marquee player.
With all that money and a long overdue young core to serve as a selling point, the Raiders should target defensive backs in free agency to help rebuild their secondary. While mid-season pickup David Amerson helped out at cornerback, the retirement of Charles Woodson and the disappointing play of 2013 first-rounder D.J. Hayden has left holes in the backend of this defense. Oakland finished the 2015 season ranked No. 26 in passing yards allowed per game (258.0), No. 15 in passing touchdowns (25) and No. 16 in opposing completion percentage (63.0).
Some names McKenzie should look into once free agency opens later this month are Sean Smith, Prince Amukamara, Jerraud Powers and even Leon Hall if they don't mind targeting a player on the wrong side of 30.
Long story short: expect the Raiders to be active in free agency.
