My Top 5 (Non-QB) Free Agent Wish List

The Raiders still need to add as much free agent help as they can. Of course, this should be with contracts that don't hurt them in the future. If a player is coming in to compete, and there's any chance that he may not make the final roster, their contract should be structured to make cutting them pain free. With all this said, there's some guys out there that I'd like to see us make a run at before someone else does. This list doesn't really take into account what said players want, or any other realities -- just what I want as a fan. With the cap space we have. No one should be able to outbid the Raiders if they really want to get their man. Unfortunately, my Top 5 list has already taken a hit in the past 48 hours, but as of right now here's how it looks (in order of my preferred priorities):

Alex Mack - C

We all know that Wiz II is a great center, but the truth is that he was a pretty kick-a$$ guard too. When he played with Veldheer on the left side, I thought McFadden saw a lot of clean holes to run though. I say we get the no-doubt best available Center, plug him in, and kick Wiz back over to LG. Now, we're looking at an opening day lineup of Menelik Watson (or 1st Round LT), Wiz, Mack, Khalif Barnes, Austin Howard. Have we had a better line that this since Oakland's Super Bowl run? D-Mac and Marcell Reese would be salivating over this move. Not to mention our TBD QB

Jared Allen - DE

Yeah, we've got some DE's now with the recent FA pickups, but did you see what Seattle did last year when they had the money. They loaded up at the position with several of the top FA DE's. This gave them depth during times of injury, and helped them fortify a nearly unstoppable front four pass rush when every one was good to go. Message to Oakland Raiders Top Brass - follow this blueprint! P.S. The fact that Denver and other teams didn't sign him will only add to the chip that Jared has always carried on his shoulder, and used to his advantage, all the way back to his K.C. days.

Henry Melton - DT

The truth is that Oakland should have drafted one of the Stud DT's available to them in many of the recent drafts, but never did. Picking up a solid player in his prime like Henry Melton would ease the pain. Pancaked in between two premier DE's and a run-stopping DT, he'd give us the up-the-middle, in-your-face(Peyton Manning) pressure to collapse the pocket.

Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie - CB ***UPDATE - Signed with New York Giants***

Just like with the DE's, let's add all the quality secondary firepower we can. I personally want to see D.J. Hayden morph into a young C-Wood this year, but until then, I wouldn't be hurt to see him at #2 on the depth chart, with D.R.C. at #1. Along with pass rushing, pass defending is key in beating the other AFC west teams. Throw a little revenge motivation and knowledge of Peyton M's practice habits, and this move seems like a dream waiting to happen -- at least based on the available corners right now.

Julius Peppers - DE ***UPDATE - Signed with Green Bay Packers***

See my note about Jared Allen (even if we already picked up Jared too!). He's not the young #1 overall pick anymore, but honestly, would you rather have him on your team, or lining up against you on opening day? That's right. Sign him up. If we don't, someone else surely will. Being used to playing with your new DT Henry Melton surely won't hurt. Have I touched yet on how having these DE's work our young tackles in practice can only help those younglings get better. #Up-vote! Honorable Mentions: WR Emmanuel Sanders - Promising young player who's had success - bonus return game player WR James Jones - Would be best Oakland WR since Timmy Brown and Jerry Rice walked out the door, and would definitely lead talented young Oakland WR corps by example on field WR Miles Austin - Same as above, but only if we get Austin of two + years ago DT Pat Sims - Solid player to bring back, and push with a talented DT draft pick (to come in two months) G Travelle Wharton - Stockpile O-Line and let the best man win C Brian De La Puente - Ditto RB Maurice Jones-Drew - See O-line stockpiling idea, apply to running backs RB Knowshon Moreno - See Above DT Kevin Williams - Remember when Oakland added Sam Adams. Run D took a huge leap forward.