Raiders Potential Free Agent Targets: Shaq Lawson
As we continue to take a look at players around the league who are set to be free agents and who could be good fits for the Las Vegas Raiders when the new league year begins in March, today we are going to take a look at a pass rusher who could provide some depth off the edge.
An edge rusher is not necessarily a position of need for the Raiders. Still, adding a rotational player to that position group never hurts, especially when getting pressure on a quarterback is one of the most crucial aspects of a good defense.
Buffalo Bills edge rusher Shaq Lawson is a player who could be attractive to General Manager Dave Ziegler as a player who can get to the quarterback and is excellent in the running game. Let’s look at Lawson’s career and see if he would be a good fit in the Silver and Black.
Lawson was drafted No. 19 overall in the 2016 NFL Draft by the Bills, where he spent four seasons before bouncing around the league with stops in Miami, Houston, and New York and eventually returning to the Bills in 2022.
In his first stint in Buffalo, Lawson recorded 16.5 sacks. He had only five in the last two seasons.
Upon returning to Buffalo, Lawson played an important depth role for the AFC East champions. He finished the season with three and a half sacks and nine quarterback hits. He has developed as a pass rusher over his career, pairing that with being a great run-stopper off the edge.
As the Raiders look to improve everywhere on the defensive side of the ball, adding depth to the edge rusher spot could come in the form of Shaq Lawson. The Raiders have four free-agent defensive ends, one of those being Clelin Ferrell, whose future in Las Vegas is up in the air.
Lawson enters his age 29 season going into 2023. He signed a veteran-minimum contract to rejoin the Bills last season, so he likely won’t be too expensive, and the Raiders have some money to spend. Lawson could be a good fit if they want to add some depth to the edge.
The NFL Scouting Combine is Feb. 28-March 6, 2023, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind. March 7, 2023, before 4 p.m. EST, is the club's deadline to designate Franchise or Transition Players.
March 13-15 is the free agent negotiation period. During that time, starting at 12 p.m. EST on March 13 and ending at 3:59:59 p.m. EST on March 15, clubs are permitted to contact and enter into contract negotiations with the certified agents of players who will become Unrestricted Free Agents upon the expiration of their 2022 Player Contracts at 4 p.m EST on March 15.
The 2023 NFL Year and Free Agency period begins at 4 p.m. EST on March 15. The Raiders are expected to be significant players in the free-agent market this season.
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