The Raiders have several roster needs, even after signing so many during this free-agent period. Count edge rusher high among them.
The Raiders have an excellent pair in Khalil Mack and Bruce Irvin, with little depth behind them. James Coswer and Shilique Calhoun occupy the second string, without much production to show for it in limited work.
Upgrades are sought in this area, and one might be coming soon. Veteran edge rusher Junior Galette will visit the Raiders on Friday, ESPN reported on Thursday morning, and could sign with the Silver and Black.
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Galette had double-digit sacks in 2013 and 2014 with New Orleans, before Achilles tendon tears stole the next two seasons. He spent last season in Washington, with 20 tackles, a forced fumble and solid pass-rushing stats in 407 defensive snaps. He had three sacks, nine quarterback hits and 25 hurries while pressuring the quarterback. He finished the season strong, an indication that Achilles issues may be behind him.
Raiders head coach Jon Gruden should have good intel on Galette, who spent last season working with his brother Jay.
Washington seems content letting Galette leave as a free agent. The Raiders could use someone like this, even if he doesn’t return to dominant form flashed in New Orleans.
The Saints reportedly released him due to off-field issues, including a domestic violence charges that were later dropped. The NFL still suspended him two games in 2015 for the incident, which was served without pay while on injured reserve. Washington signed him in 2015 and kept him on one-year deals through injury issues.
NFL
Galette believes he can still get after the quarterback, even if last year’s sack totals don’t show it.
“I consider myself elite,” Galette said in a February interview with 106.7-FM in Washington D.C., via the Washington Post. “You look at the numbers, it is what it is. I don’t care what you tell me. I had back-to-back (double-digit sack years) in New Orleans.
“…If you give me more playing time, that’s how it works. In ’13, I had I think 800 snaps in New Orleans, in ’14 I think I had 750. In both those years, (I had) double-digit sacks. It just is what it is. That’s just how pass-rush goes. You need the opportunities. … I feel like as long as you’re disrupting the quarterback, then you show that you’re really effective in just how promising that you are with getting after the quarterback.”