Andre Holmes: Latest News, Rumors, Speculation on Restricted Free-Agent WR

Oakland Raiders wide receiver Andre Holmes is a restricted free agent. While that usually means the respective player will stay with his current team, there's buzz he could attract some other offers, especially after the team's low tender.   

Continue for updates.

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Browns Expected to Show Interest in Holmes

Monday, March 9

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler weighed in on Holmes' free-agency outlook and noted that Cleveland could show interest:

Fox Sports' Mike Garafolo reported on March 7 that Oakland used an original round tender on Holmes, which means it would receive no compensation should he sign elsewhere.

Bill Williamson of ESPN.com previously reported Holmes' relatively low cost compared to other high-profile restricted free agents may make him an attractive option. ESPN.com's Matt Williamson also noted the Hillsdale product could become a top-flight receiver:

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ESPN scout Matt Williamson thinks he has a chance to develop into a front-line receiver, although he currently is a No. 3 or No. 4 receiver in Oakland based on Rod Streater becoming healthy and the Raiders expecting to add a starting-quality receiver in free agency or early in the draft. Williamson said he could see Holmes getting interest in restricted free agency.

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The Raiders would have the opportunity to match any contract offer. Still, if the team makes a notable addition at the position, as suggested in the report, and another team makes a serious offer, it may be forced to make a difficult decision.

Holmes was a raw talent coming out of Division II. He possessed an impressive combination of size, speed and playmaking ability, but he lacked the necessary polish to thrive at the NFL level.

As a result, he ended up bouncing around the league. He had short stints with the Minnesota Vikings, the Dallas Cowboys and the New England Patriots before landing with Oakland. That's when he was finally given a chance to develop with regular playing time.

Though his development is far from complete, he's made some noticeable strides. He finished the 2014 campaign with 47 catches for nearly 700 yards and four touchdowns to set new career marks across the board.

Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images

Late in the year, he talked with the team's official site about his connection with rookie quarterback Derek Carr: "I think as far as my mindset when those situations happen, I just get my head around and if I see the ball, I make the play. Obviously Derek kind of feels like if we need a play to be made and he's flushed out or scrambling or nothing's open, he just throws it up. He has that type of trust in that I'll make the play."

Building around Carr is essential if the Raiders are going to start making progress toward a playoff push. That's why it would probably be difficult for the team to let Holmes get away after he lead the team in receiving yards. It needs all the weapons it can get.  

That said, a lot will depend on how Oakland's depth chart at the position shapes up during the offseason and the type of offers that come in, if any. At the very least, it's a situation that warrants monitoring as teams start building their rosters for next season.