Bargain Contracts Raiders Must Consider in 2023 NFL Free Agency

Bargain shopping season is officially in full swing in the NFL, and the Las Vegas Raiders figure to be in on that action.

Since signing Jimmy Garoppolo, general manager Dave Ziegler and the front office have been focusing on hitting singles in free agency as opposed to the big swings of yesteryear. After getting burned by handing a big contract to Chandler Jones in 2022, the Raiders have made a series of smaller signings after finding their quarterback.

Marcus Epps, Robert Spillane and O.J. Howard aren't the kind of signings who are going to generate a ton of buzz, but they could provide a lot of value if they become starters.

With most of the big names off the board and the big money spent, it's a great time to identify potential fits who could help and be willing to sign for cheap, short-term deals.

For a Raiders team that finished 6-11, it's not a bad idea to continue to make these kinds of signings. Here are three players they should be considering.

TE Austin Hooper

Cooper Neill/Getty Images

NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 29: Austin Hooper #81 of the Tennessee Titans gets set against the Dallas Cowboys at Nissan Stadium on December 29, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

Austin Hooper is a perfect example of how value is everything in free agency. When the Cleveland Browns signed the tight end to a four-year, $42 million contract, that was a bad signing.

Hooper is a fine tight end and a reliable target. He's a decent blocker who can find holes in zone coverage. He isn't a great going to generate a ton of yards after the catch. He ranked 31st among all tight ends last season, per PlayerProfiler.

The Raiders don't necessarily need anymore than that from the tight end position. After trading away Darren Waller, they need a starter, but the dynamic tight end struggled to find a role with Davante Adams leading the receiver corps.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported the Raiders will be bringing in Hooper for a visit on Wednesday.

That's a good move. The veteran tight end gives them a relatively high floor at the position. They can still use the draft to bring in a high-ceiling prospect while guaranteeing they have a replacement-level starter in Hooper.

Proposed Contract: One-year, $4.5 million

DT Poona Ford

Abbie Parr/Getty Images

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - OCTOBER 25: Poona Ford #97 of the Seattle Seahawks looks on against the New Orleans Saints during the second quarter at Lumen Field on October 25, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)

Poona Ford has an unorthodox build for an NFL defensive lineman at 5'11", 310 pounds, but he's done more than enough to prove himself as a consistent contributor on the interior of a defense.

Ford doesn't have much in the way of pass-rush production, but he logged at least 56 percent of the defensive snaps in each of his last three seasons in Seattle. The Seahawks made him a primary part of their rotation because of his abilities as a run stuffer.

His shorter frame allows him to be a low-center-of-gravity stalwart against the run. For a team that surrendered 4.5 yards per carry last season, that's a skill set worth adding.

Ford's market value, per Spotrac, was projected to be in the neighborhood of $9.2 million per year.

That would be a little steep for the Raiders' budget, but we are now a few weeks into free agency and no one has moved on Ford yet. There's been plenty of movement on the defensive tackle market, it just hasn't involved the 27-year-old.

It's worth at least offering up a cheaper one-year deal to get a motivated Ford for a season.

Proposed Contract: One-year, $5 million

CB Amani Oruwariye

Bailey Hillesheim/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 25: Detroit Lions Cornerback Amani Oruwariye (24) looks on during the NFL game between the Detroit Lions and the Minnesota Vikings on September 25th, 2022, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, MN. (Photo by Bailey Hillesheim/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The Raiders have already made a move at cornerback, bringing in Brandon Facyson from the Indianapolis Colts. But corner is a position where it doesn't hurt to take multiple bites at the apple.

The Raiders should know that better than anyone. They signed both Anthony Averett and Rock Ya-Sin last offseason and both ended up dealing with injuries. Neither has been brought back.

So if the Raiders aren't going to have either of them come back, it would make sense to take yet another swing on a cheap option who could be cut if they don't perform in camp.

Amani Oruwariye is a strong fit if that's who they are looking for. The 27-year-old had a great 2021 campaign, picking off six passes and getting his hands on another 11. He started 14 games in Detroit and was the Lions' best cover corner.

Then everything came crashing down in 2022. Oruwariye started just five games and was benched, giving up nine yards per target and getting no interceptions and just three passes defended.

Cornerback play is naturally volatile. One bad day can sink a corner's numbers, and when you rely on ball production like Oruwariye does, things can get ugly when risks don't pay off.

That doesn't mean he shouldn't be on an NFL roster, though. The Raiders would be wise to bring him in and see if they can get him to his 2021 form.

Proposed Contract: One-year, $1.5 million.