Raiders Free Agent Targets: David Onyemata

While the Las Vegas Raiders are set to head to Indianapolis to begin scouting NFL Draft prospects at the NFL Combine in the coming days, one thing they will still have to keep an eye on is the free agent market.

The new league year is set to begin in a couple of weeks, and the Raiders will look to add players from around the league who are set to hit the open market. They have the third most cap space in the NFL, so they have financial breathing room.

General Manager Dave Ziegler knows he must upgrade the defense if the Raiders want to return to the playoffs and be a contender in the AFC. One area of their defense they need to improve is the interior.

One player who can help them in that regard is New Orleans Saints interior defensive lineman David Onyemata, the first player in NFL history to be selected from the University of Manitoba in Canada.

Let’s look at Onyemata and see if he would fit in with the Silver and Black.

As mentioned, Onyemata was drafted out of the University of Manitoba in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft by the Saints. He did not play much in his rookie season, but became a full-time starter in 2019.

In his career in New Orleans, Onyemata has compiled 244 total tackles, 28 tackles for losses and 23 sacks. He has spent multiple years on a strong Saints defensive line.

Onyemata is not the run-stopper he once was, but he is still serviceable and is a much-improved pass rusher than when he first came into the league. If he can return to form stopping the run, he could be an intriguing piece for Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham.

David Onyemata is now 30, but his production is still steady on the interior. If he is looking for a multi-year deal, the Raiders can offer him one. For a team that was one of the worst in the league at defending the run this past season, investing in Onyemata long-term could be worthwhile.

The 2023 NFL Draft will go from April 27-29 and be held at Union Station in Kansas City, Mo. On 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. EDT on March 13 and ending at 3:59:59 p.m. EDT 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 EDT on March 15.

The 2023 NFL Year and Free Agency period begins at 4 p.m. EDT on March 15. The Raiders are expected to be significant players in the free-agent market this season.

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