The quickly approaching free agency period could feature a few intriguing players available on the open market which will draw the attention of several teams around the league. One of the teams that could be busy looking to acquire talent is the Oakland Raiders, who reportedly may pursue the likes of running backs Carlos Hyde and Le'Veon Bell if they cut Marshawn Lynch.

Of course, it's a little complicated. Courtesy of ESPN's Paul Guiterrez:

Maybe the Raiders will look 30-some miles down Interstate 880 at pending San Francisco 49ers free agent Carlos Hyde, who will turn 28 in September and has proved he can be a bell-cow back. He is coming off a career-low 3.9 yards per carry average after averaging a career-best 4.6 yards in 2016, though he did have eight rushing TDs in 2017. Running in a power scheme behind Oakland’s line, which is best suited to run power, would make a lot of sense in utilizing Hyde too.

Or perhaps the Raiders will look to make a splash at running back, so long as the Pittsburgh Steelers do not use the franchise tag on Le’Veon Bell for a second straight year or simply re-up him.

There were previous rumors about the Raiders possibly going after Bell if the Pittsburgh Steelers either don't use the franchise tag or sign him to a long-term extension.

The assumption at this point is that the Steelers will have the 25-year-old under the franchise tag while they push toward working out a new deal.

Marshawn Lynch, Raiders
Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Meanwhile, the possible interest in Hyde will have to overcome his reported his inclination to return to the San Francisco 49ers, especially after quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo re-signed on a five-year, $137.5 million contract earlier this month. The opportunity to play alongside Garoppolo over the next several seasons is an appealing situation where he could be a key part of something special.

If anything, this at least paints the picture that the Raiders are not exactly sold on Marshawn Lynch being the answer in the backfield in 2018. Lynch is set to enter the second year of his two-year, $9 million deal after coming out of retirement to play for the Silver & Black.