Raiders making a hard run at Kelechi Osemele, it seems. Osemele is going to be 27. He posted a 5 AV last year, 6.5 over the past two, 5.3 over the past three, and 5.8 in his four seasons. He's a good OL. He wasn't as good as Penn last year, but over the course of the next three or four seasons, he's almost certainly the better player.
- that is a boat load of paper... At 27, Osemele is an upward trajectory in improvement. Penn is gone then? - Sean Smith? Me likey. 6-3 and not a diminutive paperweight at corner. Nice complement to Amerson on the other side. - Gipson would be a sensible pick to pair with Nate Allen or Carrie. Legion of Boom...NoCal Edition? - interest with Chris Ivory as a second back? He'd be good as an inside runner and keep Murray fresh. - written that Bruce Irvin could be a target too. He'd be an upgrade over Lofton. - Malik Jackson or Olivier Vernon? Toss-up but I lean towards the latter. - Seven rounds for McKenzie in April. So looking forward to his picks. - F**k no to Jones, don't like the guy.
Bruce Irvin signed with the Raiders. http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/14931997/bruce-irvin-oakland-raiders-reach-agreement-contract
Knight was the 4th ranked LB FA according to PFF. He has averaged 7+ AV over the past three seasons, and he has (I think, not looking) 11.5 sacks over the past two seasons. Good add. Good to excellent pass rusher.
Positional Needs CB - early, high priority S - high priority ILB/DE - high priority (one of these; see below) DT - moderate priority RB - moderate priority Needs Addressed ILB/DE - high priority Irvin might play LB OT - high priority Osemele I've read that the Raiders might still sign Penn, giving them a ridiculous offensive line. I'm a bit doubtful. You don't pay a Guard $11m a season; do you?
Last Season Games/Hurries Khalil Mack 16/34 (3rd in NFL) Aldon Smith 9/23 (24th in NFL - would have led the league) Denico Autry 14/21 (30th) Bruce Irvin 15/11 (tied for 87th in NFL) Dan WIlliams 16/9 (tied for 107th) Mario Edwards Jr. 14/7 (tied for 136th) ... Justin Tuck 5/5 (tied for 188th) Irvin is a nice add with solid pressure ability.
Raiders reportedly were pursuing Janoris Jenkins but he ended up signing with the New York Giants. Raiders will now shift their attention to Sean Smith according to Ian Rapoport. Also, reportedly, they are also interested in safety Rashod Johnson from the Arizona Cardinals.
If we sign Penn, yep that O-Line would be really good. I want Smith at the other corner. Gipson in the secondary. Right now the moderate priorities could be addressed in the draft.
Raider related in a way: AFC West - Denver loses Osweiler to Houston. Manziel on board soon? Robert Griffin III?
Off the Raider radar... - S Gipson to Jags - DL Vernon to G-Men - RB Ivory to Jags - RB Miller to Texans - LB Trevathan to Bears Out: - OL Bergrstrom to Texans Projected pick per SI - T Ronnie Stanley Notre Dame
Positional Needs S - high priority ILB/DE - high priority (one of these; see below) DT - moderate priority RB - moderate priority Needs Addressed ILB/DE - high priority Irvin might play LB OT - high priority Osemele CB - high priority Sean Smith
I'm okay with all of those things. I've watched Stanley's entire career at Notre Dame. He'd be a quality add. I think we draft best talent at that pick. No need to reach. NFL Network has Stanley as a chance to develop into a pro-bowl caliber player. Mocks seem to have him as the second best OT, and in many of them he's not available when the Raiders pick. He's a very good player at a position we could use some help.
Sean Smith was Pro Football Focus's first-rated Free Agent at CB. Kelechi Osemele was PFF's first-rated Free Agent at C/OG. Bruce Irvin was PFF's fourth-rated LB among Free Agents. (Note: Donald Penn is the first-rated Tackle FA)