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Here are the moves the Oakland Raiders should consider when free agency opens at 4 p.m. ET Wednesday: Re-sign NaVorro Bowman: Sure, the four-time first-team All-Pro inside linebacker lost a step after suffering devastating injuries to his left knee and left Achilles, but his mind is as sharp as ever. Or did you miss him playing 60 of 62 snaps just 72 hours after signing in Week 7 with the Raiders, leading them with 11 tackles while wearing the green dot communications helmet? Bowman solidified the middle of the Raiders' defense; imagine how poorly it would have fared without him. Oakland did not address the middle of the defense last offseason. They can't afford to do that again. Get an interior defensive lineman: DT Justin Ellis is a nice, run-stuffing player in the trenches. But the Raiders' re-signed free agent is not a pass-rusher -- not with 0.5 career sacks. Khalil Mack and Bruce Irvin need help down low to occupy blocks and collapse the pocket. That means the Raiders have to be serious about the likes of Sheldon Richardson, who has averaged 43 total pressures in each of the past three seasons; Star Lotulelei, who has 11.5 sacks in his career; and Dontari Poe, who has 15.5 career sacks. If teams have to scheme for an inside pass rush, Mack will face more one-on-ones, which new defensive coordinator Paul Guenther views as a blitz in itself. Sign a veteran cornerback: Oakland allowed an NFL-worst 17.8 yards per attempt on throws at least 20 yards downfield last year, with opponents completing 47 percent of such throws for nine TDs and no interceptions on those plays. So, yeah, the Raiders' secondary is in major need of an overhaul. They already cut David Amerson as well as Sean Smith and his $8.5 million cap number and lingering legal troubles. So even though last year’s first-round pick, Gareon Conley, could be a full-go after recovering from his shin injury, the Raiders still need a veteran presence at corner. And that’s still true even if they re-sign TJ Carrie, who performed admirably as a surprise 15-game starter, even if he did not have a pick last season. The Raiders could kick the tires on Trumaine Johnson, Bashaud Breeland or Aaron Colvin because transition-tagged Kyle Fuller might be too expensive for the Raiders’ tastes at close to $13 million.
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