Free Agency Rumors: Rodger Saffold Is ‘Expected’ To Sign With The Raiders

Sep 15, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders fans watch the game from the Black Hole during the fourth quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at O.co Coliseum. Oakland won 19-9. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports

The re-singing Rodger Saffold ship hasn’t officially sailed, but it is starting to leave to docks. The Rams “top offseason priority” might be leaving the gateway city according to the Baltimore Sun. According to the Sun, Saffold, ” is expected to sign with the Oakland Raiders for roughly $8 million per year, but he is still in talks with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.”

The Raiders have over $60 million in cap space while the Rams only have around $10 million. If it was one team that could overpay for Saffold, The Raiders would be the team that would be able to do it.

Although there is a slim possibility that the Rams could still re-sign Saffold, more than likely the team’s focus will go elsewhere. Saturday, the Rams reached out to cornerback Alterraun Verner and safety Jairus Byrd, who would both add a lot to the Rams secondary.

The Rams will more than likely try to focus on the mid-level free agents, guys that can help out the team, but won’t break the bank. The Rams succeeded with this tactic two years ago when they brought in linebacker Jo-Lonn Dunbar and defensive end William Hayes.

Although not re-signing Saffold is a huge disappointment, it is not the end of the world. The Rams could go after another guard in free agency, and don’t forget that  the Rams also carry nine picks in the upcoming draft and drafting guards like UCLA’s Xavier Su’a-Filo or Stanford’s David Yankey in the second round is a possibility.

General Manager Les Snead is smart enough not to put all his eggs in one basket, and certainly has a back-up plan for the scenario that Saffold did go elsewhere.