Best and Worst Moves the Oakland Raiders Have Made in Free Agency
The Oakland Raiders had an active beginning to free agency, and the moves made give hope for a much-improved 2015 season.
The Raiders have managed to fill some needs and add depth to the roster, but how do their new pieces fit? Were the upgrades worth the cash?
In a detailed analysis of the Raiders' free-agent moves, each highlighted transaction will be evaluated from A (Excellent) to F (Very Poor).
Scheme fit, projected impact and contract worth in ratio to production are the criteria used to assess each transaction.
Trent Richardson – Grade: B- (OK)
1 of 5
Signing Trent Richardson is a mixed bag.
Oakland has revamped the backfield with mid-level talent and it’s anyone’s guess who will have the most impact of the three RBs on the depth chart.
Latavius Murray has a head start on the committee, having started three games at the end of the 2014 season, but Richardson’s desire to step in and become the starter adds layers to the rushing attack.
General manager Reggie McKenzie made it clear he wanted to bring in an RB to challenge Murray, and now the Raiders are stocked with three backs, all with different skill sets.
Murray has shown straight-line speed, quickness when attacking the corners of the defensive line and the ability to make cuts and change direction at will.
Roy Helu caught 42 passes for 477 yards and two touchdowns flashing his ability as a viable receiver out of the backfield.
Even though Richardson struggled with the Indianapolis Colts in 2014, he has the burning desire to be a starter in the league per Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk:
"Richardson told Mike Wells of ESPN that Colts General Manager Ryan Grigson is to blame for Richardson’s inability to make things work in Indianapolis.
Me and the GM didn’t see eye to eye. My next step, I’ll be the starter. Indy didn’t fit me,” Richardson said.
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This should raise eyebrows for those who considered Murray the clear-cut starter in 2015. The presence of Helu could also limit Richardson’s snaps.
Barring an injury it’ll be tough for any of the three RBs to separate themselves from the pack. Expect a true RB by committee approach unless Richardson reverts back to the player he was at Alabama.
Dan Williams – Grade: A (Excellent)
2 of 5
Dan Williams was the second option for the Raiders, but he quickly became the best option after Terrance Knighton decided to negotiate with other teams.
According to ESPN reporter Josina Anderson via Scott Bair of csnbayarea.com, the Raiders’ offers weren’t up to par with Knighton’s expectations:
"The Raiders made me an offer but it's not close to what I was looking for,” said Knighton, via Anderson. “So, as of right now, the Raiders and Broncos are out of the race. A lot of people had me going to the Raiders because of Jack Del Rio, but I'm now focusing on a few other teams right now.
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Well, Knighton then signed a one-year deal with the Washington Redskins worth $4.45 million. The Raiders signed Williams to a four-year, $25 million contract.
Knighton’s head may have swelled far bigger than his actual market value.
Williams is the same type of player as Knighton—a gap-filler who demands a double–team. The Raiders were able to address a need on the defensive line, bolstering their run defense without breaking the bank.
Nate Allen – Grade: A (Excellent)
3 of 5
Nate Allen isn’t Rahim Moore, but he was arguably the second-best safety on the market. The porous Philadelphia Eagles secondary drowns out Allen’s team-leading four interceptions. As an individual, he played well.
The Raiders cut Tyvon Branch, per ESPN reporter Bill Williamson, and needed a young solid piece alongside Charles Woodson. One can make the argument Brandian Ross is ready to become a full-time starter, but Allen is a proven commodity in the prime of his career.
His ability to intercept passes will make up for the missed turnover opportunities of the inexperienced starting cornerbacks D.J. Hayden and T.J. Carrie.
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Rodney Hudson – Grade: A (Excellent)
4 of 5
There was grumbling about the Raiders’ brass playing hard-ball with center Stefen Wisniewski at the end of the 2014 season. The tone of Raider Nation's chatter changed when Rodney Hudson signed a five-year, $44.5 million contract.
Hudson was rated the third-best center in the league in 2014 per Pro Football Focus. As the best center on the market, the Raiders were justified in paying an average salary of $8.9 million per year with $20 million guaranteed.
Wisniewski played well in his first three years in the league but wasn’t half the player Hudson was in 2014. Derek Carr will be taking snaps from a premier center for at least a half decade.
James Dockery – F (Very Poor)
5 of 5
This signing is a complete brain fart from Mckenzie and Co. The Raiders shouldn’t feel comfortable fielding two cornerbacks with 14 combined starts. Oakland needed a veteran CB to solidify the secondary but decided to sign a special teams player.
Of course, special teamers are needed, but the Raiders failed to address a void that the draft cannot fulfill—a proven CB capable of aiding the growth of Hayden and Carrie.
Tramon Williams would have been a great fit, but the Cleveland Browns inked the eight-year veteran to a three-year $21 million contract with $10 million guaranteed. Judging the Raiders' free-agent negotiating strategy, with that offer from Cleveland, he would have signed with the Browns anyway.
Dockery won’t compete for a starting position and has very little upside. Oakland will depend on Hayden finally proving himself for 16 games as a full-time starter and Carrie, a former seventh-round pick. If either player fails to play to his utmost potential, it could spell disaster for the Raiders defense.
Don't agree with the verdict on these free-agent signings? Do you have input on another free agent not included in this slideshow? You can tweet your thoughts and reactions to Maurice on his Twitter account.
Advanced statistics provided by Pro-Football-Reference.com and Pro Football Focus
Player contract details provided by spotrac.com
Player signings provided by Raiders.com
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