2017 Raiders Free Agent Preview: LB Zach Brown
It seems like the Oakland Raiders need inside linebacker help every year. This is especially true as starting linebacker Malcolm Smith and Perry Riley Jr. are both on expiring contracts.
Not to mention, Oakland’s defense gave up the seventh most yards per game and 13th most points per game in the regular season. They must improve that if they hope to continue their upward trend towards playoff contention. Thus, the Raiders maintain interest in the linebacker position in the NFL Draft and free agency. New England Patriots’ free agent linebacker Dont’a Hightower has been one marquee free agent that seems like a fit for the Raiders. However, could Buffalo Bills’ free agent linebacker Zach Brown fit Oakland’s need at inside backer?
In 2016, Brown had a career year during his first season in Buffalo. The linebacker registered a career-high in tackles, starts and forced fumbles. He also added an interception and four sacks. Brown registered an 84.1 accumulative grade from Pro Football Focus. That made him the subscription service’s No. 17 linebacker.
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At 27-years-old, Brown brings a combination of production and youth for the position. His coverage skills make him a possible outside linebacker or inside linebacker. Most of Brown’s experience is in the 3-4 defense, but he should be able to play in any type of scheme due to his size and athleticism. Rumors swirl that Brown may re-sign with the Bills to play outside linebacker, per Rotoworld. Otherwise, the internet has connected him to basically every team with a need at linebacker.
Brown is coming off a one-year, $1.25 million dollar salary that he signed with Buffalo last year. He has a $4.5 million average annual salary market value, per Spotrac.com. That is a bargain compared to the $10.1 M annual salary value applied to Hightower, via the same website. Hightower also ranked as PFF’s 12th overall linebacker with an 84.7 grade for 2016. He is also a two-time NFL Champion. Hence, Hightower might be worth the extra money.
Regardless, it is also rumored that the New England defender could return to the Patriots. Either way, Brown seems to present a better value than Hightower at the linebacker position. Remember, Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie loves his bargain free agents. Signing Brown may give the Raiders exactly what they need at the linebacker position, without burning too much cap space. On the other hand, it is unclear how much of an upgrade Brown is over Riley or Smith.
Furthermore, Brown singing with the Raiders could be another stop-gap solution for the linebacker position. It might make sense for Oakland to keep Riley or Smith and add Brown for depth and competition. It could also make sense to add Brown and another linebacker in the NFL Draft.
Whatever the case, Brown would be a welcomed free agency addition to the Silver and Black due to his age, production and price. Oakland needs to do whatever they can to reverse their lows on defense as they head into the 2017 season. In the long run, the Raiders need to address the ILB issue for the long-term. Are they willing to pass on Brown to explore draft solutions?
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