Raiders should target Chiefs Pro Bowl DE
The Raiders should do something that will stir the pot of a divisional rivalry, pursue Frank Clark.
Although Clark won two Super Bowls and made three Pro Bowls in Kansas City, the Chiefs will likely release the DE after his contract negotiations fell through, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Aside from Pro Bowl DE Maxx Crosby, the Raiders pass rush was anemic last season, ranking 30th in sacks, recording 27 in 17 games. Clark tallied 23.5 sacks over the past four seasons.
Signing Clark isn’t an outlandish proposition because his market value is a two-year deal worth $12.5M annually. The Raiders have the fifth-most cap space ($39.7M, per Spotrac).
Also, it helps free-agent flop Chandler Jones, who had 4.5 sacks in 15 games last season, the second-lowest mark of his career. Jones, who Las Vegas signed to a three-year deal with $32M guaranteed in 2022, probably struggled because he was playing out of position. Jones hasn’t been a full-time DE since 2018.
From 2019-21, he flourished as a LOLB. Jones made two Pro Bowls during this timeframe and recorded a career-high 19 sacks in 2019. Having Clark allows Jones to return to LOLB, potentially making him a productive player again.
The Raiders have the No. 7 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, which they could use to select a pass-rusher, but they must find a franchise QB to replace Derek Carr. Therefore, adding Clark helps them focus on drafting a QB.
Also, they’ll have a defense that’s more prepared for the Chiefs, who have won seven consecutive division titles.
One reason the Chiefs dominated the AFC West is no one can stop Patrick Mahomes, the Raiders in particular. In 10 games against them, he threw 27 TDs, averaged a 112.5 passer rating and went 9-1.
