The Oakland Raiders have found it surprisingly difficult to spend all the money with which they entered this latest NFL league year, but that doesn't mean Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie and head coach Jack Del Rio aren't still eyeing a few big additions prior to the 2015 NFL Draft in April.
Greg Hardy, the former star Carolina Panthers defensive end who appeared in just one game last season after being placed on the commissioner's exempt list amid domestic violence issues, is drawing interest from the Raiders, according to a report from Jordan Schultz of Huffington Post.
"Hearing Greg Hardy in discussions with Raiders. I would say 60-40 he gets a deal with Oakland. #NFLFreeAgency," Schultz tweeted.
The 26-year-old Hardy met with NFL officials earlier this month in New York, but it seems his status remains uncertain, according to Tom Pelissero of USA TODAY Sports.
The league continues to mull potential discipline for Hardy, per Pelissero, though prosecutors dismissed the domestic violence charges against Hardy on Feb. 9.
Hardy, when active and healthy, is one of the most talented defensive ends in the NFL and would add another dominating presence along the defensive line for the Raiders.
In 63 career games, Hardy has 34 sacks, 15 of which came in 2013. He played under the franchise tag for the Panthers last season, which paid him just over $13 million.
With Justin Tuck and Khalil Mack already in place, adding Hardy would make the Oakland front-seven as formidable and intimidating as any in the league.
Even after the Roy Helu, Malcolm Smith, Curtis Lofton, Rodney Hudson, Nate Allen, Lee Smith and Dan Williams signings, the Raiders actually now have the most cap space in the league at about $44.2 million.
A big chunk of that may be used to add Hardy.
