Rash of free agents, mostly on defense
Linebacker NaVorro Bowman, a free agent this offseason, said last week that he hoped to return to the Raiders in 2018. Part of the reason, he said, was feeling comfortable with head coach Jack Del Rio and defensive coordinator John Pagano.
That was before the Raiders fired Del Rio on Sunday, a move that casts uncertainty on the rest of the coaching staff. On Monday, Bowman was asked whether it affects his desire to return.
“You don’t want to separate the three phases of the game,” Bowman said. “But what we’re doing on the defensive side, I just feel like if we were able to just get this thing started and into training camp, full time and understanding each other, I think Pags would do a great job with getting us on the same page.
“Yeah, let’s just wait and see where everything falls. But I’ve enjoyed my time here.”
Bowman joined the Raiders in Week 7 after being released by the 49ers, wanting to show that he still could be an everydown linebacker. He wound up playing 98 percent of the Raiders’ defensive snaps after arriving (643 of 656) and led the team in tackles in nine of his 10 games.
Bowman, 30, is one of the Raiders’ 11 unrestricted free agents this offseason. That includes their two longesttenured players: kicker Sebastian Janikowski, who spent the season on injured reserve, and long snapper Jon Condo, who indicated Monday he is open to returning for another season.
“We’ll see what happens,” said Condo, 36. “I still want to play the game of football. I love it and still feel young. This is the healthiest I’ve been. I haven’t had any trips to the training room, and I took care of my body. So we’ll see.”
The Raiders’ seven defensive free agents include safety Reggie Nelson, who played the most snaps (98.75 percent) of any defensive player this season.
Nelson, 34, is a year removed from making the Pro Bowl but has looked susceptible at times in coverage. He was also a fan of Del Rio, who drafted him in Jacksonville. Asked Monday about the Raiders’ impending coaching change, Nelson sounded unsure about a possible return.
“Whoever they bring in, they’ve got a great team here,” Nelson said. “I loved all my teammates here. Everybody pros and stuff. Whoever they bring in, they’ve got a great team they’re coming to, lot of athletes, young guys that are here to play football.”
The Raiders’ remaining impending free agents, according to Spotrac, are defensive end Denico Autry, cornerback T.J. Carrie, defensive tackle Justin Ellis, quarterback EJ Manuel, safety Keith McGill, tight end Lee Smith and linebacker Aldon Smith, who remains suspended by the NFL. Injured class: Rookie defensive tackle Eddie Vanderdoes, who limped off the field in the fourth quarter Sunday, suffered a torn ACL in his left knee. Vanderdoes confirmed the diagnosis, first reported by the Las Vegas Review-Journal, to reporters Monday.
Vanderdoes, the Raiders’ third-round draft pick, previously tore the same ligament in 2015 while at UCLA. He played in all 16 games as a rookie, totaling 18 tackles and no sacks.
Injuries ended the seasons of each of the Raiders’ top three 2017 draft picks. Firstround pick Gareon Conley ,a cornerback, played in two games because of a shin injury. Second-round pick Obi Melifonwu, a safety, appeared in five games between IR stints for injuries to his knee and hip. Draft order: Because the Raiders and 49ers finished with the same 6-10 records and strength of schedule, and are exempt from divisional or conference tiebreakers, their respective positions in the 2018 draft will be determined by a coin flip. The winner will pick ninth and the loser 10th.