Oakland Raiders: Santonio Holmes and 10 Possible Free Agent Additions in 2011

It is almost comical how bad the Oakland Raiders have been the past eight seasons.  In the 2010 season, the Raiders somehow went 6-0 in the AFC West division and ended the season 8-8. 

It was the first non-losing season for the Raiders since 2002 and hopefully this trend continues in 2011.  The Raiders are a couple of players away from making a playoff run in 2011. 

The major needs this offseason are at wide receiver, defensive line and cornerback with the possible loss of Nnamdi Asomugha. 

11. Dawan Landry (Safety)

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KANSAS CITY, MO - JANUARY 09: Safety Dawan Landry #26 of the Baltimore Ravens runs back an interception of quarterback Matt Cassel #7 of the Kansas City Chiefs in the third quarter of their 2011 AFC wild card playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium on January

He is a very good safety that would be a perfect fit for the Raiders.  He easily had his best season of his career last year, racking up 111 total tackles making him a force in the secondary. 

He would bring a much-needed physicality that the Raiders secondary badly needs.  The Raiders currently have Michael Huff and Tyvon Branch, both solid players, but neither of them would make an impact like Dawan Landry. 

Although safety isn’t a high priority for the Raiders this offseason, a big, physical safety will definitely improve the defense.

10. James Jones (Wide Receiver)

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ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 15: James Jones #89 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates as he walks off the field after the Pakers won 48-21 against the Atlanta Falcons during their 2011 NFC divisional playoff game at Georgia Dome on January 15, 2011 in Atlanta, G

There is an obvious need at wide receiver for the Raiders. The best receiver they had last season was Louis Murphy in his second year with 41 catches and 609 yards. 

Many teams have at least one receiver with over 70 catches, making the Raiders horrible at the receiver position.  James Jones would give the Raiders an experienced receiver.  

He played in the slot for the Green Bay Packers and was prone to dropping important receptions in the 2010 playoffs. 

Regardless of his catching ability, he would make the receiver core in Oakland much better if the Raiders decided to pick him up in free agency. 

9. Carlos Rogers (Cornerback)

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SAN FRANCISCO - DECEMBER 28: Carlos Rogers #22 of the Washington Redskins carries the ball during the game against of the San Fransisco 49ers at Candlestick Park on December 28, 2008 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by: Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)

Although this is not the optimal free agent choice at corner, if Nnamdi Asomugha leaves during free agency as everyone is expecting he will, Carlos Rodgers would be a good pick-up. 

He is a good lock-down corner in man coverage and plays well in zone coverage, although he is not the biggest corner. 

He won’t bring the intimidation that Nnamdi did, but if the other top corners have been snagged up, expect the Raiders to strongly consider acquiring Carlos Rogers.

8. Tyson Clabo (Tackle)

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ATLANTA - DECEMBER 14: Tackle Tyson Clabo #77 of the Atlanta Falcons lines up against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the Georgia Dome on December 14, 2008 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

This is the obvious choice at tackle for the Raiders. Langston Walker and Mario Henderson are both free agents and the Raiders probably won’t offer a contract to both of them. 

Tyson Clabo is much better at run blocking than both of the starting tackles for the Raiders in 2010. 

Jason Campbell will need some much needed protection in 2011 and with the addition of Tyson Clabo, the Raiders drastically improve their offensive line. 

7. Logan Mankins (Guard)

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FOXBORO, MA - SEPTEMBER 03: Logan Mankins #70 of the New England Patriots looks on before the game against the New York Giants on September 3, 2009 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

If anyone fits the Raiders stereotype, it is Logan Mankins.  With a huge beard and nasty mentality on the field as an interior lineman, he would be a very good addition to the Raiders. 

Robert Gallery has proven that he is not worthy of the starting position at guard and clearly was a huge bust as the number two pick in the NFL draft. 

At 6'4", 310 pounds, Mankins is an amazing run blocking guard and clearly can pass protect, as he has proven over the past seven years for the Patriots and Tom Brady. 

Jason Campbell would be thrilled if the Raiders could obtain Logan Mankins this offseason.

6. Brandon Mebane (Defensive Tackle)

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SEATTLE - NOVEMBER 08: Defensive tackle Brandon Mebane #92 of the Seattle Seahawks celebrates after sacking the quarterback against the Detroit Lions on November 8, 2009 at Qwest Field in Seattle, Washington. The Seahawks defeated the Lions 32-20. (Photo

Brandon Mebane could make the Raiders interior defensive line one of the best in football.  Richard Seymour is likely to get re-signed once the lockout ends, and Brandon Mebane would be a perfect match to play beside him. 

He went to University of California-Berkeley, making him familiar with the Bay Area as well.  

He doesn’t record many sacks at defensive tackle, but he is a great run defender and can plug up the middle very well.  If the Raiders are looking to lock down the run game of their opponents in 2011, this is a perfect fit. 

5. Ray Edwards (Defensive End)

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CLEVELAND - SEPTEMBER 13: Ray Edwards #91 of the Minnesota Vikings hits Brady Quinn #10 of the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium on September 13, 2009 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images)

The Raiders could use some experience at defensive end.  All three of the contributors at defensive end in the 2010 season have played three years or less in the NFL. 

Ray Edwards would bring a tall, strong and fierce presence to the defensive end position.  He recorded eight sacks last season in only 14 games.  

He can speed rush slow tackles on the outside and also use the bull rush when a tackle is not paying full attention. 

Defensive end is not the most urgent position to fill in the offseason, but if the timing is right, Al Davis would love to bring Edwards to Oakland.

4. Antonio Cromartie (Cornerback)

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - AUGUST 27: Antonio Cromartie #31 of the New York Jets in action against the Washington Redskins during their preseason game on August 27, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Gett

There are a couple of cornerbacks on the market that could fill the Raiders' void at corner.

After Nnamdi Asomugha is signed by another team, the Raiders will be extremely vulnerable at the corner position.  Antonio Cromartie is a tall, fast corner that commands the same respect as Nnamdi.

He is known to be lackadaisical at times, but in Oakland he will be the number one corner, hopefully motivating him to return to play like he did in San Diego.

3. Santonio Holmes (Wide Receiver)

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 31: Santonio Holmes #10 of the New York Jets celebrates a reception against the Green Bay Packers on October 31, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

The Raiders' biggest need this offseason is at the wide receiver position.  Santonio Holmes has proven that he has the talent to be the number one wide receiver, especially when he caught 79 receptions for 1,250 yards for the Steelers in 2009. 

He is a downfield presence, but also is very clutch, helping squeak out many last-second victories. 

He is sure-handed and reliable, something that has been absent for the Raiders since Tim Brown.

2. Champ Bailey (Cornerback)

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DENVER - SEPTEMBER 19: Cornerback Champ Bailey #24 of the Denver Broncos lines up against against the Seattle Seahawks at INVESCO Field at Mile High on September 19, 2010 in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the Seahawks 31-14. (Photo by Doug Pensi

Even though he is going into his 14th year in the NFL, he is still considered one of the top five corners in the league. 

Every year he consistently locks down half of the field, forcing the quarterback to look the other way.  He had 45 tackles last season and will bring experience and leadership to a young Raiders defense. 

After drafting Demarcus Van Dyke in the third round of the 2011 draft, Champ Bailey would be a perfect mentor for Van Dyke and all of the other young Raider defensive backs.

1. Vincent Jackson/Malcom Floyd (Wide Receiver)

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - NOVEMBER 08: Vincent Jackson #83 of the San Diego Chargers celebrates his touchdown with teammate Malcolm Floyd #80 against the New York Giants on November 8, 2009 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Chris

These two receivers would both make the Raiders much better at receiver.  Malcom Floyd and Vincent Jackson are both free agents and the odds the Chargers re-sign both players is highly unlikely. 

Vincent Jackson is the better receiver and would be the best possible acquisition in the offseason for the Raiders but if he is unavailable, Malcom Floyd is good fit as well. 

Both of these receivers are 6'5", 225 pounds and can make every catch in the game.  This is the best possible fit for the Raiders in the 2011 offseason.