Raiders DT Richard Seymour is among 17 Raiders who may become free agents after this season. (US Presswire) |
Defensive tackle Richard Seymour, linebacker Philip Wheeler, tight end Brandon Myers and punter Shane Lechler headline a list of 17 Raiders who, barring contract extensions, will become unrestricted free agents in March.
The Raiders on Friday released their entire list of potential unrestricted, restricted and exclusive rights free agents.
The list of potential unrestricted free agents includes four other starters: offensive tackle Khalif Barnes, guard Cooper Carlisle, defensive end Matt Shaughnessy and free safety Matt Giordano.
The rest of the potential UFA list: defensive tackle Desmond Bryant, defensive end Andre Carter, linebacker Omar Gaither, running back Mike Goodson, wide receiver Derek Hagan, cornerback Joselio Hanson, safety Mike Mitchell, quarterback Matt Leinart and cornerback Shawntae Spencer.
Cornerback Phillip Adams is the lone Raider slated to become an unrestricted free agent in March, barring a contract extension.
Seven Raiders are headed for exclusive-rights free agency: linebacker Kaelin Burnett, wide receiver Duke Calhoun, CBs Coye Francies and Brandian Ross, center/guard Alex Parsons, offensive tackle Zach Hurd and running back Jeremy Stewart. Hurd and Calhoun have spent the entire season on injured reserve.
Seymour, who came to the Raiders from New England in a trade in 2009, is a seven-time Pro Bowl selection, including the past two seasons with Oakland. But he has missed the past six games with a hamstring injury, and will likely miss his seventh straight game on Sunday at Carolina. He turned 33 in October.
Lechler is another seven-time Pro Bowler, but he's had a subpar season after suffering a knee injury during the offseason. He turned 36 in August.
Myers leads the Raiders in receptions with 72 for 743 yards and four touchdowns, while Wheeler ranks second on the team in tackles (143) and has become a valuable every-down player. It's likely that the Raiders will try to re-sign both, although GM Reggie McKenzie hasn't commented on any of Oakland's potential free agents.
Shaughnessy has stayed healthy all season but hasn't made the impact the Raiders expected he would, and his playing time has been cut recently. Carlisle is in his 13th season and turned 35 in August. The Raiders drafted guard Tony Bergstrom in the third round this year, which means Carlisle is likely expendable.
Barnes has had an injury-plagued season but has been solid the past five games after missing seven games following groin surgery. Veteran tackles are in short supply, making his return a possibility.
Raiders coaches have praised Hanson's play as a nickel corner. So he could be targeted for a new contract.
Follow Raiders reporter Eric Gilmore on Twitter @CBSRaiders.