Raiders top 20 NFL free agents

This is all you need to know about free agents who can make an immediate impact for the Oakland Raiders in 2015:

1. DE Jerry Hughes With Khalil Mack, the Raiders have one of the best edge rushers in football. Hughes is right there with him as production and talent goes. Oakland’s front could be devastating.

Re-signed with Buffalo

2. LB Jason Worilds Predominantly an OLB, Worilds can play inside as well. And he excels there.

Announced retirement

3. LB Pernell McPhee Oakland could have McPhee play outside, with Mack as a defensive end. There’d be a lot of pass-rush there, with nowhere for a ballcarrier to run.

Signed with Chicago

4. G Mike Iupati Iupati is one of the best run-blockers in the league. If he plays at right guard, Oakland’s run game would be much improved.

Signed by Arizona

5. C Rodney Hudson Stefen Wisniewski is on his way out, and hasn’t been as good as he seems to think. Hudson is an upgrade, and will ask for less than Wiz has.

Signed by Oakland

6. CB Buster Skrine The best free agent option on the market for Oakland at corner. Only 25 years old, and a physical presence. Skrine could be the hottest cornerback on the market.

Signed by New York Jets

7. CB Davon House House still has some growing to do, but with an excellent pass rush, could post elite numbers. Was a Reggie McKenzie pick with Green Bay.

Signed by Jacksonville

8. FS Rahim Moore A cheaper and younger version of McCourty, Moore isn’t elite, and may never be. But he’s a significant upgrade over what the Raiders have.

Signed with Houston

9. G Clint Boling Perfect for the vacancy at right guard, Boling excels in run blocking.

Re-signed with Cincinnati 

10. CB Shareece Wright The most overlooked corner on the market. Wright has taken time to grow wings, but has started the last two seasons in San Diego. Can do a lot of things well.

11. LB Malcolm Smith Clearly knows how to come alive in big games. The former Super Bowl MVP has ties to Ken Norton Jr., and may come running. Could be exceptional as an inside linebacker.

Signed by Oakland

12. Da’Norris Searcy  The most underrated safety on the market. Searcy is a thumper, a badass, and can cover well. He instantly adds toughness to any defense.

Signed with Tennessee 

13. LB Brandon Spikes  Known as a two-down middle backer, Spikes is a hard-hitting tackler who instantly boosts a team’s run defense. Might be fairly cheap.

14. RT Joe Barksdale -Barksdale isn’t someone who can play left tackle well, but is a power running team’s best friend. Virtually no injury history.

15. LB Nate Irving The need for an inside linebacker in Oakland is overwhelming. Irving played for Jack Del Rio in Denver, and shouldn’t be hard to persuade.

16. DT Terrance Knighton  Should Suh not sign with Oakland, Knighton would serve as a pretty good consolation. Has expressed strong interest in Oakland.

Signed with Washington

17. WR Torrey Smith Difficult to rank on an Oakland offense. Fluid route runner with great speed. Smith may not have enough to truly fill a need with Oakland.

Signed by San Francisco

18. LB A.J. Hawk His name is awesome, but that’s not the only thing. Inside backer, hard hitter, and ties to McKenzie. Hawk could be a great short term value signing.

Signed by Cincinnati 

19. RB Reggie Bush Yeah, he’s 30. Yeah, he’s got an injury history. Yeah, he’s still got something left in the tank. Bush can mentor any young runner on Oakland’s offense. And tell them to steer clear of all Kardashians.

20. TE Lance Kendricks Big bodied tight end who can excel in two-tight end sets. Good blocker with reliable hands. Not too much for speed.

Re-signed with St. Louis

Jason Leskiw is SFBay’s Oakland Raiders beat writer and member of the Professional Football Writers of America. Follow @SFBay and @LeskiwSFBay on Twitter and at SFBay.ca for full coverage of the Oakland Raiders.