Oakland Raiders Propelled to Relevancy Through Free Agency

The old adage about building through the draft doesn’t apply to the crux of the Oakland Raiders’ resurgence this season.

Yes, fourth overall pick wide receiver Amari Cooper flashes as one the most captivating rookie talents in recent memory. Second-round pick defensive end Mario Edwards Jr. has played all of 151 snaps between linebacker and defensive end, per Pro Football Focus. Third-round pick tight end Clive Walford barely scratched the surface of his maximum potential in the first seven games.

General manager Reggie McKenzie deservedly took on a lot of criticism for his misses on previous free-agent signings. However, he’s righted a lot of wrongs with an impact group of veterans who’ve immediately uplifted the team on both sides of the ball.

Michael Crabtree: Wide Receiver 1A

Raider Nation didn’t necessarily throw a party upon wide receiver Michael Crabtree’s arrival.

Green Bay Packers wideout Randall Cobb topped the list as the preferred choice in Oakland. When Cobb re-signed, most set their sights on Cooper as the cure-all antidote for the Raiders’ receiving deficiencies.

Fortunately, Cooper stepped into the league primed and ready for the big stage, but let’s not overlook his running mate on the perimeter: 

Player	Targets	Receptions	Yards	Touchdowns	Drops
Michael Crabtree	65	40	483	3	2
Amari Cooper	55	38	565	3	6

Through seven games, Crabtree’s production holds as much value as Cooper’s. Quarterback Derek Carr vouched for the veteran’s stay beyond this season to the local media:

According to ESPN's Bill Williamson, Crabtree dismissed future plans but reciprocated Carr's sentiment about a long-term stay:

"Crabtree laughed off questions about his future after Sunday's game in which he was a featured receiver, saying it was too early. But Crabtree said he loves playing with the Raiders. The feeling is mutual."

Rodney Hudson: Mauler

The average fan marvels in Cooper’s quickness in the highlight above, but Raider Nation saw two spectacular players that made this touchdown possible.

If you look closely, you’ll see center Rodney Hudson chasing down a block to spring the rookie wideout for a touchdown.

Can you recall the last time you saw a 300-pound center sprint 20 yards downfield for a block? 

That’s the type of effort Hudson brings to the trenches as a mobile steamroller. According to Pro Football Focus, he’s the best pass-blocking center in the league. He neutralizes the pressure in the middle with power and attitude as the anchor on the offensive line.

Malcolm Smith: The Defensive Leader 

Joe Robbins/Getty Images

Linebacker Malcolm Smith didn’t flash during the preseason similar to fellow linebacker Ray-Ray Armstrong, but he took on a subtle role that complements his production on the field.

According to defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr., per Bay Area News Group writer Jimmy Durkin, Smith transitioned from backup linebacker to a leader on defense. 

“In the old days, Malcolm would not speak a word,” Norton said. “Now he’s running the defense. He has the microphone in his helmet and he’s telling everybody the play now. It’s amazing to see the growth.”

Initially, a Super Bowl MVP two years ago stood as the only footnote on Smith’s potential. Now, he’s blossoming into a true on-the-field coordinator for the Raiders defense.

Smith's preseason sizzle fell behind Armstrong in the offseason. Many agonized over linebacker Sio Moore’s departure. Through it all, Smith remains consistent in his production and temperament as a staple at linebacker.

Dan Williams: The Anchor on the Defensive Line

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

Smith serves as the maestro and Dan Williams as the motor within the Raiders front seven. The defensive tackle came over from the Arizona Cardinals with prior experience in a 3-4 alignment as a nose tackle.

Norton’s transition to an unconventional 3-4 base defense preserves Williams as he rotates with defensive tackle Justin Ellis in the middle. Williams spearheads the push up front when stopping the run.

The Raiders rank second in run defense, allowing 82.9 rushing yards per game. Williams deserves a significant amount of credit for plugging two gaps and closing lanes before they become gaping holes. Overall, he ranks eighth among defensive tackles in the league.

David Amerson: Instant Impact within the Secondary

The Raiders came into the season hoping for considerable production from a young trio of cornerbacks. T.J. Carrie continues to grow into a complete defensive back playing two positions. D.J. Hayden, though slowly, continues to show gradual signs of improvement. Norton bumped Keith McGill to special teams duties. 

The Washington Redskins’ decision to release cornerback David Amerson turned into an even better decision for the Raiders in signing him.

Player	Snaps	Targeted	Recs Allowed	Yards Allowed	TDs Allowed
D.J. Hayden	492	59	42	437	4
T.J. Carrie	364	29	14	176	0
David Amerson	333	39	25	265	0
Neiko Thorpe	309	50	30	382	1

The third-year cornerback came to Oakland and broke into the starting rotation quicker than most expected. He’s played on the perimeter, which moves Hayden into the slot.

Amerson’s ability to quickly absorb the playbook provides the Raiders with a promising talent at cornerback. He’s beginning to develop an identity as an athletic, physical defensive back in the secondary. In addition to lowering the boom on New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith in Week 8, he’s the third-best cornerback against the run.

Aldon Smith: Sealing the Edges 

A solid run defense covers the entire front, not just the interior. Of course, the Raiders signed Aldon Smith for his pass-rushing prowess, but his run-stopping ability appears as a byproduct of his tenacity on the defensive line.

Smith currently ranks ninth in run defense among 3-4 linebackers in the league. The Raiders didn’t just stumble upon an ironclad run defense.

McKenzie’s decision to sign Smith further established the defensive front as a physical front seven. The Raiders defense will climb to new heights once he finds his stride as a pass-rusher.

Some critics will never let McKenzie off the hook for signing aging or grossly ineffective players like Maurice Jones-Drew, Matt Schaub, Matt Flynn or LaMarr Woodley. 

However, the solid six free-agent signings in the past offseason and during this season deserve massive credit. The production from the newcomers put this team on the fast track to playoff contention.

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All statistics are provided by Pro-Football-Reference.com, Pro Football Focus and Team Rankings unless otherwise noted.