The Las Vegas Raiders were one of the more active teams during the NFL free agency period last year, signing the likes of Trent Brown, Lamarcus Joyner and Tyrell Williams to fill numerous holes on the roster.
The organization figures to take a similar approach this time around as well, with over $50 million in cap space at their disposal.
As the calendar inches closer to March 18 — the start of the new league year — the Raiders have most prominently been linked to New England Patriots free-agent signal-caller Tom Brady.
In addition to exploring the market for potential upgrades at the quarterback position, the Raiders will almost certainly be on the lookout for secondary help.
According to Vincent Bongsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal, the team has significant interest in signing Dallas Cowboys free-agent cornerback Byron Jones:
One of the top young cornerbacks in the NFL is expected to hit free agency soon, and the growing sense is the Raiders have a strong interest in bringing him to Las Vegas.
According to reports, the Dallas Cowboys are expected to let cornerback Byron Jones test the open market when free agency opens on March 18th.
Since entering the league in 2015, Jones has emerged into one of the better cornerbacks in all of football. He is expected to fetch one of the most lucrative contracts for any free agent this offseason, which could complicate Dallas’ chances of re-signing him.
The Cowboys must also work out new contracts with Pro Bowl quarterback Dak Prescott and wide receiver Amari Cooper, further decreasing the likelihood of Jones returning to the franchise for a sixth consecutive season.
The 27-year-old earned a 76.1 grade from Pro Football Focus last year, recording six passes defended, one forced fumble and 46 tackles in 15 games (14 starts).
He did not tally any interceptions, but opposing quarterbacks only targeted him 64 times all season, collectively completing 53.1% of their passes.
Signing Jones would give the Raiders one of the most promising cornerback tandems in all of football. He would line up opposite of Trayvon Mullen, who was impressive during his rookie campaign last season.
Mullen accumulated one interception and 10 passes defended in 16 games (10 starts), allowing a completion percentage of only 55.9.
