03/22:
(-)
TE Mychal Rivera - Signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars to a
2-year deal
Comment: As expected, the Raiders let Rivera walk after upgrading the Tight End position by adding Jared Cook. Rivera had solid production for the Raiders throughout his 4 years, despite being criminally underutilized. He'll get more opportunities in Jacksonville if the offense involves the Tight Ends more. I wish him the best.
03/20:
(+)
LB Jelani Jenkins (Last played for the Miami Dolphins) - Signed to an
undisclosed deal
Comment: And there it is! The first defensive signing for the Raiders in free agency. This is somewhat of a consolation prize for not signing Zach Brown from the Bills. Jelani Jenkins is a name that I've heard a lot whenever I tune in to Dolphins home games while waiting for the Raiders to play, but I've never had a full grasp on his game. Based on his highlights, he's a pretty solid tackler, especially when playing against the run. He can effectively blow up screen passes to the running back. I've heard he's a liability in pass coverage, but I think he's OK at best based on past highlights. Sure he gets beat, but he doesn't give up on the play to break up the pass. Probably the only concern is his health. He's struggled to play all 16 games since starting for the Dolphins. Raiders found a replacement for Malcolm Smith in Jenkins and he could be an upgrade provided he's able to stay healthy.
LS Jon Condo -
Re-signed
Comment: Condo deserves to be a Raider for life. He's been a terrific Long Snapper for the Raiders and really, an integral part in Special Teams.
03/18:
(-)
WR Andre Holmes - Officially signed with the
Buffalo Bills
Comment: I don't know what happened considering Holmes first denied he signed a contract with the Bills, but it's on NFLPA documents. Once it's on the dotted line, it's a done deal. The addition of Cordarrelle Patterson pretty much spelled the end for Holmes' tenure with the Raiders. The Bills are getting a big-sized target and a solid special teams player in terms of downing the ball deep. Best of luck to Holmes. I've always liked him ever since he balled out during the dark years when the Raiders were still in Salary Cap Hell.
03/16:
(+)
QB EJ Manuel (last played for the Buffalo Bills) - Will sign to an
undisclosed deal
Comment: Most likely if the Raiders are signing a quarterback in free agency, he's likely a camp body to Derek Carr and Connor Cook. Todd Downing did work with Manuel when he was in Buffalo in 2014 and Manuel was having a pretty decent year before ultimately losing the job to Kyle Orton. Camp fodder, not too big of a questionable move.
TE Jared Cook (last played for the Green Bay Packers) - *separate post*
03/15:
(-)
RB Latavius Murray - *separate post*
03/13:
(+)
WR Cordarrelle Patterson (last played for the Minnesota Vikings) - *separate post*
03/10:
(+)
OT Marshall Newhouse (last played for the New York Giants) - Signed to a
2-year deal
Comment: At last the free agency shutout for the Raiders is over. For the fourth consecutive offseason, Reggie McKenzie's first free agent addition is an offensive linemen. Not a move that would sit well with the casual Raider fan pleading for a splash, but Newhouse adds more depth to an already good O-line. It's been awhile since Reggie channeled his Green Bay ties. Newhouse started his career as a Packer and was on the Super Bowl XLV championship team.
(-)
CB D.J. Hayden - Signed with the Detroit Lions to a
1-year $5.25 million deal
Comment: This puts an end to a disastrous experiment. The Raiders drafted Hayden in 2013 to be their best cornerback, but he struggled to stay healthy the first two years. He finally found his niche as a nickel corner last season, but Hayden will always be remembered as the player who would commit pass interference penalties at the worst possible time. He couldn't turn his head around when the ball was flying towards him. Maybe it's the scheme. There's a lot reasons that could be inferred on why D.J. Hayden failed and didn't live up to the first round status. However, I still wish him the best of luck. He's made one heck of a recovery to play pro football after suffering a near-death experience.
OT Menelik Watson - Signed with the Broncos to a
3-year $18.3 million deal
Comment: Really Menelik? Really? The Broncos? I was the Raiders would re-sign, but to a 1-year prove it deal. Watson had all the physical tools to be a solid tackle, but he just couldn't stay on the field. He would've been good for depth purposes. But, 3-years, $18.3 million for an injury-prone tackle? Though the Broncos are getting a good one as long as he stays healthy, that's a pretty hefty price. Bold risk-reward move Elway, let's see how it plays out for you.
S Nate Allen - Signed with the
Miami Dolphins
Comment: Like Malcolm Smith, I didn't expect Nate Allen to be back. Though, he did good as a "super-sub" for Karl Joseph and Reggie Nelson at the safety position.
03/09: Day 1 of Free Agency
(-)
DT Stacy McGee - Signed with the Washington Redskins to a
5-year $25 million deal
Comment: I got nothing but love for Stacy McGee. He had a semi breakout year last year, displaying tremendous upside as a pass rushing DT. It's too bad injuries hampered his stellar year. Redskins opened up the wallet to get him and they are getting a quality DT if he stays healthy.
LB Daren Bates and S Brynden Trawick - Signed with the
Tennessee Titans
Comment: Wow, talk about a big blow to the special teams unit. Bates signed on to a $6 million deal and Trawick signed to a $3 million deal. I wasn't surprised that Bates was gonna walk, but I wished the Raiders retained Trawick for not just special teams purposes, but also depth purposes at the safety position. The Titans are getting a pair of good ones here.
03/08:
(+)
WR Seth Roberts, TE Gabe Holmes, OL Denver Kirkland -
Exclusive Rights Tenders Retained
Comment: Pretty quiet start for Reggie McKenzie and the Raiders front office during the legal tampering period before tomorrow. But clearly there are more priorities during the offseason. Seth Roberts is obviously the big time retention among this trio. He had a case of dropsies last season, but he comes up big in the clutch no matter how you look at it. Hopefully, he polishes his game in the slot in his 3rd year as the Raiders are still gonna run the same system even though Downing is taking over OC duties. Gabe Holmes, solid retention for depth at the Tight End position. Denver Kirkland, undrafted out of last year, is a solid retention for the O-line. He gave the Raiders that extra big body to push around D-linemen.
(-)
LB Malcolm Smith - Agreed to sign with the
49ers
Comment: The writing was on the wall for the former Super Bowl MVP after the 2016. I'm not going to bag on Smith too much because he did have a solid season in 2015. 2016, he struggled mightily, especially when it came to covering opposing Tight Ends.
