For the past couple of weeks, the Raiders have been part of a handful of teams believed to have been interested in signing free agency running back Jadeveon Clowney.
Among the other teams talking to Clowney were the Browns, Seahawks, and Titans. Cleveland is now believed to be out of the mix for Clowney and Seattle (which isn’t exactly swimming in the cap space) traded on Saturday for Jets safety Jamal Adams, who is believed to want about $ 20 million per year in a new agreement.
If the Browns and Seahawks are no longer at the top of the list to land Clowney, could the Raiders or Titans be next in line?
As of today, the Titans have more than $ 20 million in capitalization space, while the Raiders project to have very little capitalization space once the rookies are signed. However, it wouldn’t be difficult for the Raiders to get back to work on a veteran deal (Derek Carr?) And create a wide margin to allow Clowney. Jon Gruden has been looking for pass riders since he traded Khalil Mack and although the Raiders are already heavily invested in edge defenders, can you ever have too many pass runners in a division with Patrick Mahomes?
Clowney has connections to the Titans (the head coach comes to mind) and Tennessee is a tax-friendly state for a deal with the NFL. If the Titans or Raiders still want Clowney, now might be the time to launch with a good deal.
For the Raiders, how about a two-year, incentive-laden contract for a former first-general pick who is still only 27 years old …
Who says ‘no’ to that?
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