3 Impending Raiders Free Agents With the Most to Prove in 2020

The Las Vegas Raiders are molding into the image that head coach Jon Gruden envisioned once accepting the head coaching job in 2018. Even with their plethora of NFL Draft selections and free agent signings, the Raiders have 41 players set to hit the open market following the upcoming season, per Spotrac. That means all of those guys will be auditioning not only for Gruden, but also for the 31 other teams in the league.

Here are three impending free agents in particular that have the most to prove in 2020.

3. DT Johnathan Hankins

Johnathan Hankins has to increase his production if he wants to get a big payday next year. / Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images

Johnathan Hankins shined at the start of his career as a second-round draft pick by the New York Giants. His production increased once he was paired alongside the likes of Olivier Vernon, Damon Harrison, and Jason Pierre-Paul on that stacked Giants defensive line in 2016. But once he left the Big Apple, his production dropped. The Indianapolis Colts cut him just one season into his three-year, $30 million contract. He did find a home in Oakland with Gruden and earned a two-year extension, but he's got to make it count in 2020. Yes, he can tally the necessary tackles for an interior defensive lineman, but he needs to show that he can get to the quarterback. Hitting the signal caller eight times and notching 1.5 sacks in the past two years isn't going to attract many suitors.

2. S Damarious Randall

Damarious Randall will have to bounce back to 2018 form this upcoming season. / Jason Miller/Getty Images

Damarious Randall has a ton to prove in 2020. The former first-round selection of the Green Bay Packers showed through the first four seasons in the league that he can tackle the ball carrier and cover his man. But last season with the Cleveland Browns, Randall's play suffered. Yes, plenty of that can be attributed to Cleveland's lack of a quality secondary, but he did himself no favors. Randall allowed 24 receptions on 42 targets and a staggering eight touchdowns. He needs to prove that the Browns' system was at fault.

1. WR Nelson Agholor

Nelson Agholor has to stop dropping passes, it's that simple. / Mitchell Leff/Getty Images

The Philadelphia Eagles let the former first-round pick walk this offseason for one simple reason: he can't catch the ball. Given his speed, it was a no-brainer that the Raiders would sign him to a prove-it deal. Maybe he'll thrive in Las Vegas, as he's slated to join a WR corps of Henry Ruggs, Tyrell Williams and Hunter Renfrow, but it's on him to make plays and haul in passes from Derek Carr if he wants to make real money in free agency next year.