Raiders poised to make a splash in free agency

The Las Vegas Raiders have the third-most cap space in the NFL with several positions that need upgrading.

With $46.28 million in their pockets heading into free agency in March, Pro Football Focus believes the Raiders are potentially primed to go on a spending spree, projecting the team to sign four of its top 50 available free agents, including running back Josh Jacobs, linebacker Lavonte David, cornerback James Bradberry and quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.

“There is a massive need to get a leader in the middle of this defense, and there might not be a better player to do so than David, who has been the epitome of consistency for the Buccaneers’ defense, stringing together six straight years with a 72.0-plus PFF grade,” PFF said of David. “He would help rejuvenate the Raiders’ linebacker room, which has struggled to find a top-end guy at that position for years.”

David, who’s posted 100 or more tackles in nine of his 11 seasons, has a projected market value is $9.7 million per year, according to Spotrac. The 33-year-old would offset the potential loss of Denzel Perryman and Divine Deablo, both of whom are both free agents.

Jacobs and Bradberry are both expected to be pricey. Jacobs’ projected market value according to Spotrac is $12.8 million per year, and if Vegas franchise tags him, he’ll still command $10.09 million on a one-year deal. The 25-year-old tailback led the NFL with 1,653 yards rushing and had 12 touchdowns plus 53 receptions for 400 yards.

Bradberry has a projected market value of $15.1 million per year and is coming off a Second-Team All-Pro season in which he allowed a 46.9 completion percentage with three interceptions, 17 pass breakups and nine forced incompletions. While Amik Robertson and Nate Hobbs are both returning, the Raiders need a true No. 1 CB.

Garoppolo figures to be the most expensive of the four with a projected market value of $34.9 million. He’s still young enough (31) that he has some decent tread left on the tires, and he’s the kind of QB who can run head coach Josh McDaniels’ system seamlessly.

“While Garoppolo has obvious deficiencies, he’s a timing and rhythm quarterback who has experience working with head coach Josh McDaniels and can let the Raiders’ bevy of receiving weapons go to work in space,” PFF said. “… He brings a high floor and is significantly cheaper than Carr was going to be over the next season or two.”