Oakland Raiders Free-Agency Tracker: Updated Signings, Rumors and Grades
If you’re an Oakland Raiders fan, the beginning of free agency makes you salivate with all the money general manager Reggie McKenzie has to offer top-tier free agents.
As the team with the second-most cap room in the league with $59.60 million per overthecap.com, one would expect a big splash from Raiders’ brass over the next few days.
Names like Ndamukong Suh, Randall Cobb, Byron Maxwell, Julius Thomas and Jeremy Maclin have all been strongly linked to new teams prior to the official Tuesday 4 p.m. ET opening of the free-agent market—none of them tied to the Raiders.
What?
As teams took a dive into the pool of free agents checkbook first, McKenzie merely dipped his toe in the pool when reports flooded the net about expected signings.
Who will the Raiders miss out on and who will be donning the silver and black in 2015? What about those swirling rumors?
It will be discussed and analyzed here throughout the first week of free agency. Stay tuned for up-to-date information on signings and rumors.
Free-agent signing grades are based on three pieces of criteria: contract value, player fit and overall player impact for the 2015 season.
-Contract value: Did Oakland sign the player to a contract comparable to the player's value? Did McKenzie overspend for a non-essential position? Did he manage to sign a good free agent on a bargain?
-Player fit: Does the player fit the roster? Does he duplicate the talents or play style of another player already on the roster? Did Oakland address a positional need?
-Player Impact: Is this player expected to crack the starting lineup right away or was he added for depth?
Get some raw knee-jerk reactions to the Raiders' misses and made deals on Maurice's Twitter before he comes to his senses in this updated report.
Advanced statistics provided by Pro-Football-Reference.com and Pro Football Focus.
Raiders Offical Twitter: Safety Nate Allen Offcially Signs with Raiders
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According to the Raiders official twitter account safety Nate Allen will don the silver and black colors in 2015.
Allen will immediately become the best safety on the roster by a mile.
According to Pro Football Focus, Allen received a 3.9 overall rating compared to Brandian Ross' minus 1.1 rating and Charles Woodson's minus 3.9 rating.
Statistics aside, Allen is far more experienced than Ross, starting 69 games in five seasons for the Philadelphia Eagles. At age 27, he's also a long-term solution at the position unlike Woodson at 38.
This is a slam dunk for McKenzie in terms of addressing a need, upgrading the position and investing in a player who brings immediate impact.
In 2014, the Raiders intercepted nine passes. Allen led the Eagles with four interceptions as one of the very few bright spots within a porous secondary. He'll likely start beside Woodson at strong safety to help mask the potential shortcomings of younger inexperienced cornerbacks D.J. Hayden and Travis Carrie.
Signing grade: A
Michael Wright: Dan Williams Agrees to Terms with Raiders
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ESPN NFL reporter Michael Wright confirms the Raiders have agreed to terms with former Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Dan Williams via Twitter.
Williams is the alternative to Terrance Knighton "Pot Roast". He's a run-stopping NT, that will help solidify a stout front line swallowing ball-carriers who run between the guards. He's also talented enough to warrant a double-team effort to block.
For those griping over McKenzie missing on "Pot Roast", Williams holds the same value for a lesser dollar amount. The wager wasn't high enough for Knighton, but McKenzie was able to sign Williams for approximately $6 million a year per Tim Daniels of Bleacher Report.
According to Pro Football Focus, Williams was rated slightly above Knighton as a run-stopper, 11.7 compared to 11.2 in 2014.
The Raiders didn't grab the bigger name, but snagged the better bargain for a defensive tackle.
Signing Grade: A-
Michael Wright: Curtis Lofton Agrees to Terms with Raiders
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Michael Wright confirms via Twitter, the Raiders will sign former New Orleans Saints inside linebacker Curtis Lofton.
This signing is interesting because the Raiders also signed versatile linebacker Malcolm Smith yesterday per Adam Schefter. Smith played snaps as a reserve inside linebacker for the Seattle Seahawks in 2014.
Lofton has the advantage in experience over Smith. He has played seven seasons as an ILB for the Atlanta Falcons and Saints and started in every game except one in his career.
Smith's versatility will allow defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. to move him around, possibly to an outside linebacker position if he starts, which begs the question, will Khalil Mack or Sio Moore transition into a 4-3 defensive end? That remains to be seen.
What's highly likely is Lofton stepping in right away as the starting ILB and quarterback of the defense.
There's one caveat.
Lofton hasn't played well since leaving the Falcons after the 2011 season. In 2014, he was ranked as one of the worst ILBs in the league with an overall rating of minus 21.5 per PFF.
Could the Saints defensive system be the culprit or was Lofton a poor fit for Rob Ryan's system in New Orleans for the last two seasons? It's worth monitoring how Lofton fits into the Raiders' young transitioning defense.
According to ESPN NFL reporter Field Yates (via Twitter), Lofton's contract is three years, worth $18 million with $10 million guaranteed.
Signing Grade: B+
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Adam Caplan: Roy Helu Signs with Raiders
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In another low-key signing, the Raiders have agreed to terms with Roy Helu per ESPN NFL Insider Adam Caplan via Twitter.
Helu spent four seasons with the Washington Redskins. His rookie year was his most productive season, when he had the most opportunities to touch the ball (151 rush attempts and 49 receptions) accumulating 1,019 yards from scrimmage.
The former Redskins RB hasn't started a game since his rookie season, but continued to contribute in a reserve role after an injury shortened his sophomore season in the league.
In the last two seasons, he has amassed 1,218 yards from scrimmage with seven touchdowns.
He won't start over Latavius Murray, but his dual ability as a ball-carrier and receiver make him a sneaky valuable asset.
Helu's contract is worth $4 million over two years per Caplan.
Signing Grade: B
Michael David Smith: Raiders Making a Run at DeMarco Murray
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The Dallas Cowboys haven't exactly been quick to ink DeMarco Murray. As the clock ticks, teams are beginning to inquire about the NFL's leading ball-carrier for the 2014 season.
Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk reports the Raiders as a heavy player for Murray:
"The Raiders have a lot of cap space to spend, and they’re ready to use a large chunk of it on a big-time offensive playmaker.
Oakland is making a run at free agent running back DeMarco Murray, a league source tells PFT.
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The Raiders are expected to sign Rodney Hudson (per Bill Williamson), blocking tight end Lee Smith (per Adam Schefter) and are still in search of a guard. Improving blocking schemes seem to be a priority for Raiders' brass.
After missing out on wide receivers Cobb (per NFL.com writer Kevin Patra) and Maclin (per NFL.com writer Gregg Rosenthal).
McKenzie could be looking to help quarterback Derek Carr by upgrading the rushing attack to the tune of Murray and Murray.
Josina Anderson: Raiders' Negotiations with Terrance Knighton Falling Apart
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There might not be any "Pot Roast" in Oakland.
ESPN reporter Josina Anderson tweets about the Raiders falling out of the running for Terrance Knighton.
This development is disappointing considering the Raiders were initially at the top of the list for Knighton. However, it seems the front office wasn't able to satisfy the prolific run-stopper's quest to sign at his perceived value.
As Knighton explains to Anderson, he will move forward in negotiations with other teams.
Ouch! It almost seemed like a slam dunk Knighton would end up in Oakland. Now, the Raiders have missed out on Suh and perhaps Knighton in search for another defensive tackle.
McKenzie continues to refrain from splurging on free agency with a more strategic approach.
Adam Schefter: Lee Smth Expected to Sign with Raiders
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Schefter expects Lee Smith to sign with Oakland (via Twitter).
This free-agent signing won't move mountains but every team needs some grinders, Smith is that type of player.
He won't catch a bunch of passes. He caught 20 passes in four seasons with the Buffalo Bills. At 6'6", 269 pounds his purpose will be protecting Derek Carr when on the field as a blocking tight end.
Signing Grade: C
Adam Schefter: Malcolm Smith Signs with Raiders
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Schefter tweets the Raiders agreed to terms with former Seattle Seahawks linebacker Malcolm Smith.
For those that remember Smith, he was the Super Bowl MVP for the Seahawks in Super Bowl XLVIII. He only started 16 games in four seasons in Seattle, but has the versatility that made him attractive to Oakland.
Sio Moore and Khalil Mack are the current outside linebackers on the roster. Smith will likely play inside linebacker to help bolster the heart of the defense.
New defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. will become a big influence on a young ILB like Smith going forward, it'll be interesting to see how he develops.
Signing Grade: B-
Ian Rapoport: Raiders Showing Interest in Darrelle Revis
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Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network tweets about possible suitors for Darrelle Revis via Twitter.
The Raiders are in the mix and have more cash on hand than any of the other teams. However, the Raiders lack an organizational tie to the top-tier cornerback.
Revis won a Super Bowl with the New England Patriots. He was drafted by the New York Jets in 2007. Cleveland Browns head coach Mike Pettine worked with Revis as a defensive coordinator with the Jets from 2009 to 2012. Finally, Chiefs defensive coordinator Bob Sutton also worked with Revis as a senior defensive coordinator and assistant head coach with the Jets in the same time frame as Pettine.
If we’re connecting breadcrumbs to reel Revis in, he doesn't have a paper trail that leads him to Oakland. Revis coming to Oakland would be a financial decision on his part. The Raiders would get an exceptional talent, but at what cost?
Revis cost the Patriots $12 million for one year. In 2013, he signed a contract worth $96 million with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers worth an average $16 million per year. His track record indicates he’ll demand a large sum, but is McKenzie willing to pay $10 million or more to vastly improve his secondary?
Bill Williamson: Rodney Hudson Expected to Sign with Raiders
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According to Williamson, center Rodney Hudson is expected to ink a deal with Oakland:
"After missing out on several of the top free agents Sunday, the Oakland Raiders made good on their promise to spend money by securing an agreement with Kansas City center Rodney Hudson on a record contract.
Hudson is expected to sign a five-year, $44.5 million deal Tuesday with the Raiders. His average of $8.9 million a season will be a record for a center.
Hudson was one of Oakland’s top targets, and he is a good fit for the team. The Raiders are adopting a faster-paced offense (they will use the no-huddle attack often), and Hudson is a perfect center for that attack. He can get out in front of defenders and create lanes. It's a nice addition for young quarterback Derek Carr.
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After failed negotiations with Stefen Wisniewski, this is great news for Oakland. Hudson was the best center on the market and arguably one of the best in the league since 2013. Pro Football Focus puts his production in perspective via Twitter:
Oakland hasn’t been overactive in free agency as of yet, but Hudson is a huge building block for a stronger and more athletic offensive line that will be asked to front defensive lines and open lanes for running backs.
Charles Robinson: Jermaine Gresham a ‘Top Priority’ for Raiders
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According to Mike Klis of the Denver Post, Julius Thomas is expected to sign with the Jacksonville Jaguars:
"What is certain is the Broncos will lose far more expensive free-agent players this week than they will bring in.
Tight end Julius Thomas is expected to sign Tuesday with the Jacksonville Jaguars on a multiyear deal worth in the $9 million-a-year neighborhood. Left guard Orlando Franklin will wind up with the San Diego Chargers on a five-year contract worth $7.3 million per year.
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This agreement was made despite heavy interest from the Raiders, per Yahoo! Sports Senior NFL Writer Chris Robinson via Twitter.
Jermaine Gresham? Not exactly a tantalizing name, but he does have five solid years as a receiving tight end with the Cincinnati Bengals. What stands out about Gresham is his pass-blocking ability. He has a 2.3 pass-blocking rating per PFF, which was tied for third among all tight ends in 2014.
Interest in Gresham isn’t an indictment on Mychal Rivera, but it sends a message that the priority is to protect quarterback Derek Carr while upgrading at TE and possibly utilizing some two-tight end sets.
Josina Anderson: Raiders Show Interest in Da’Norris Searcy
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There are four teams inquiring about Bills safety Da’Norris Searcy, and Oakland is in play, per Anderson via Twitter.
Searcy flashed his ability to rush the QB in 2013 with 3.5 sacks and his coverage skills in 2014 with three interceptions. As a versatile safety, Oakland can shift him across the secondary where needed as Tyvon Branch’s immediate replacement.
Furthermore, he's a cheaper option compared to Rahim Moore and just as effective playing physical closer to the line of scrimmage or in coverage schemes.
Vic Tafur: Terrance Knighton and Raiders Closing in on Deal
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Given the lengthy history between new head coach Jack Del Rio and nose tackle Terrance Knighton, this would be expected.
Del Rio and "Pot Roast" 3.0 could very possibly take place in Oakland. Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle tweets about a deal formulating.
The impending signing could be seen as a glass half-full or half-empty.
On one hand, Knighton paired with rookie Justin Ellis can form a stout run defense that prevents RBs from accumulating anywhere near 100 yards per game.
However, the Raiders are in desperate need of generating a pass rush. Ellis’ pass-rushing ability was rated minus 8.3 per PFF, and Knighton only has 12.5 sacks in his entire six-year career. No pressure up the middle would put tremendous onus on the edge-rushers to make plays on the QB.
Keep in mind Greg Hardy is still on the market with 26 sacks between 2012 and 2013 before missing all but one game in 2014.
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