7. Josh McCown

Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

The free agent class of quarterbacks is going to be very thin in 2014. As a result, teams are going to be willing to overpay for the services of a quarterback who on most rosters would be a backup at best -- such as Chicago Bears quarterback Josh McCown. There are some who argue McCown's 2013 is proof that he's capable of being a starter in the league. McCown's 2013 consisted of five starts and a 3-2 record. While he did have his moments and put together some decent numbers (1,829 yards, 13 TDs, one INT), some think it is proof that he's arrived and will be worth starting quarterback type money. Though if you look beyond the 2013 numbers and at his entire career, his numbers suggest that he's actually a serviceable quarterback at best. His career 77.5 passer rating, 59 completion percentage and 16-22 record as a starter argue against the belief that he is anything more than a part-time guy. The Raiders would be wise to avoid the hype and look to the QBs already on their roster or a free agent with a better track record of success.

6. Devin Hester

Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Over the course of his career, Devin Hester has proved to be one of the best return men to ever play the game. He's fast, explosive and elusive. A lot of teams covet his speed and ability to move with the ball in open space. But those teams might find themselves overpaying for a player who is essentially one-dimensional. Hester has never developed into the top-flight receiver he believes himself to be. He's never topped 60 catches in any one season, and has never come close to breaking 1,000 yards. While not the worst receiver out there, even Chicago Bears head coach Marc Trestman stripped him of receiving duties, instead making him the team's return specialist in 2013. Though the Raiders have a long history of coveting speedy receivers, they should avoid overpaying for somebody who is essentially a one-trick pony.

5. Darren McFadden

Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

Some might think this is a cheat, but there are actually some in the organization who might toy with the idea of bringing Darren McFadden back into the fold. McFadden is a free agent and he's absolutely not worth the money he's likely to get. He was expected to be an elite and dominant running back and has been anything but since he entered the NFL. Aside from an outstanding 2010 season, McFadden has spent more time in the training room than he has on the field. He's hardly been worth the $60 million the Raiders have paid him in his six years in the league.

4. Maurice Jones-Drew

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Maurice Jones-Drew has been a solid running back for the Jacksonville Jaguars for a lot of years now. In his nine seasons in the league, he's compiled more than 8,000 yards rushing to go along with his 68 touchdowns. As a free agent, there are a lot of teams out there, including the Raiders because of his hometown ties, who might consider throwing a big chunk of change at him. It would be a mistake. The shelf life of a running back in the NFL is a short one and Jones-Drew has had a good, long run. But it appears that Father Time might finally be catching up with him as injuries ruined his 2012 season and 2013 saw a decline in his production when he averaged a career-worst 3.4 yards per carry and just five touchdowns. The Raiders are letting Darren McFadden walk and there is no guarantee that they'll be able to re-sign Rashad Jennings. They really need to avoid a knee jerk reaction and sign a player like Jones-Drew whose is in the twilight of his career and whose skills appear to be diminishing.

3. Hakeem Nicks

John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports

New York Giants receiver Hakeem Nicks is likely going to make a big splash on the open market this offseason. Though he was a sensation early on in his career, topping 1,000 yards in both 2010 and 2011, Nicks failed to break 700 yards in 2012. In 2013, he failed to top 900 yards and perhaps more worrisome is the fact that he didn't catch a single scoring pass last year. Though he's not entirely to blame since the Giants' offense as a whole was abysmal, Nicks seems to have lost some of his game-changing, big-play ability. It's not a good sign when even your teammates think they'd be okay without you as evidenced by fellow receiver Victor Cruz when he said:

“He's obviously been a big piece for us in the last years that he's been with us. But I think we definitely always have the talent in our receiving room to be successful. I think that's just a testament to how we drafted and how we got players to fit the mold to our offense. I think we can definitely be able to be successful if Hakeem has to move on.”

2. Jared Allen

Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

Over the course of his 10-year NFL career, Jared Allen has been dominant on the defensive side of the ball. His 128.5 career sacks and reputation as one of the fastest, most intimidating forces on the edge put him in elite company. He's managed double-digit sacks in every year of his career but two, and those were early on. All of this puts him in line for a huge payday. But there is no escaping the fact that Allen is approaching the twilight of his career and is perhaps, losing a step. Some have noted that Allen's hefty sack totals can be attributed, in part, to opposing QBs holding on to the ball too long, and that he no longer has the stamina to be a dominant every down defensive end. Before dropping a huge payday on Allen, the Raiders would be wise to realize that the contract should be based more on future production rather than what he did last season. If he's slowing down, as some believe he is, the Raiders would do more harm than good to the organization by lavishing him with a huge contract. And if the Minnesota Vikings are willing to let him walk, that is an indication that perhaps his skills truly are diminishing.

That being said, if he wanted to spend his twilight years in the Bay Area and was willing to give the Raiders a “hometown discount,” it would be something well worth exploring.

1. Michael Vick

Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

There have been a lot of rumors circulating that have Michael Vick coming to the Oakland Raiders. Having lost his job in Philadelphia to Nick Foles, Vick bit his tongue, played the good soldier and counted the days until he hit the free-agent market. There is no doubt that Vick wants to be a starter in the league and there are a lot of teams out there, in desperate need of an upgrade at quarterback who drool as they look at Vick's freakish athleticism.

But at 34 years old, he's simply not the same explosive player who once lit up the NFL. Chip Kelly's system in Philly seemed suited to his skill set, but he proved to be the second best quarterback on the team. Many are rating him as the best free agent quarterback on the market so that will likely drive his asking price up. Though he's talented and freakishly athletic, the Raiders need to avoid Vick at all costs. His style of play means that he's going to get hurt a lot and he's also very turnover prone. There is no doubt that Vick, in his role as elder statesman, has matured over the years and is a calming locker room influence. But he will be asking for a lot of money for what might be a minimal return. The Raiders can't afford to spend that much money on a calming locker room presence.