The Oakland Raiders entered this offseason knowing full well that they needed major upgrades in the secondary. While mid-season pickup David Amerson helped out at cornerback, the Raiders still finished the 2015 regular season ranked No. 26 in passing yards allowed per game (259), No. 15 in passing touchdowns allowed (25) and No. 16 in opposing completion percentage (63.0). Other factors may play into those low finishes, but there's no denying that Oakland's secondary is one of the weaker units in the NFL.
Lucky for the Raiders, general manager Reggie McKenzie had upwards of $70 million in salary cap space to work with heading into free agency and a mandate to spend at least $41 million to reach the NFL's required salary floor. McKenzie has used those resources to start patching up Oakland's leaky pass defense, most notably by signing former Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Sean Smith. Offensive lineman Kelechi Osemele and pass-rusher Bruce Irvin have also been signed, but McKenzie should not be done spending just yet.
Veteran safety Eric Weddle, despite being on the wrong side of 30, is arguably the top defensive back on the open market and should be in Oakland's sights as long as he remains available. While the 31-year-old is expected to take his time with his decision following nine productive seasons with the San Diego Chargers, the Raiders should be applying the full-court press to get him to Oakland. As of right now, the Raiders are reportedly one of "at least four irons in [the] fire" for Weddle.
Following Charles Woodson's retirement, the Raiders have a gaping hole at free safety and journeyman Taylor Mays may not be up to the task of replacing him full-time. Weddle is still a very productive player, posting 78 tackles with one-half sacks in 13 games this past season. Overall, Weddle has nabbed 19 interceptions in his career and been named a two-time first-team All-Pro in his career. He's the perfect type of veteran talent to add to Oakland's young nucleus right now.
Smith and Irvin are already on the Weddle bandwagon, lobbying for his services via social media and through the press. Smith revealed to reporters that he had been talking to Weddle "before I even came up here," and Irvin said that Weddle "understands what it takes to be a winner."
Oakland is on the upswing thanks to the impressive young building blocks they've collected over the last few seasons. What better way to cap off that ascension than by signing a talented veteran to mentor some of these younger players?
