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Las Vegas Raiders News & Rumors

Raiders Re-Sign OL Jermaine Eluemunor

March 25th, 2022 at 7:19pm CST by Ely Allen

After appearing in 14 games for the Raiders last season, offensive lineman Jermaine Eluemunor has agreed to return to Las Vegas, according to Aaron Wilson of Pro Football Network. In a series of transactions heading into the weekend, the Raiders have made sure to bring back a proven backup lineman who could earn a starting spot. 

A fifth-round pick for the Ravens in 2017, Eluemunor had already traveled more than most draft prospects. Eluemunor was born in England, moving to New Jersey in his teenage years and finding football. After applying to around 120 schools, he earned a scholarship to Texas A&M before getting drafted to Baltimore.

Eluemunor had three starts in two seasons with the Ravens as a reserve lineman before being traded alongside a sixth-round pick to New England in exchange for a fourth-round pick. His first year as a Patriot was plagued with injury, but he was named the starting right tackle to start the 2020 NFL season. A Week 6 ankle injury landed Eluemunor on injured reserve, but he returned four weeks later to start four of the eight remaining games of the season.

A free agent after his stint in New England, Eluemunor signed with the Dolphins, getting cut before the season started. Four days later, he joined the Jaguars for a four-day period before getting cut yet again. Eluemunor wasn’t unemployed for long, though. Two days later, Eluemunor landed in Vegas.

An injury to Week 1 starter Denzelle Good elevated Eluemunor to first-string in a matchup versus his former team, the Ravens. Eluemunor, who had been with the team for only two weeks, made three more starts for Las Vegas before returning to his role as a backup and special teamer.

The Raiders return key contributors from last year Kolton Miller, John Simpson, Alex Leatherwood, and Andre James. Vegas has also re-signed back ups Jackson Barton and Brandon Parker, as well as recently signing Alex Bars, who started 11 games in three seasons with the Bears. Despite the addition of Bars, the Raiders have a ton of familiarity heading into 2022.

In contrast to the recent additions, Las Vegas has cut cornerback Jordan Brown, defensive end P.J. Johnson, offensive lineman William Sweet, safety Natrell Jamerson, and wide receiver Javon Wims.

Raiders Sign LB Jayon Brown

March 24th, 2022 at 6:37pm CST by Ben Levine

Jayon Brown is heading to Las Vegas. The Raiders announced that they have signed the free agent linebacker (via Twitter).

The 2017 fifth-round pick spent the first five seasons of his career in Tennessee. He saw time in 66 games for the Titans, including a 2019 campaign where he compiled 105 tackles, an interception, and a fumble return TD in 14 games (14 starts).

Brown re-signed with the Titans last offseason, and he ended up starting six of his 10 games, collecting 55 tackles and an interception. He appeared in 67 percent of his team’s defensive snaps. Brown missed a month of the season while rehabbing a knee injury.

While the Raiders stole headlines for their moves on offense, the team has also been adding some notable players on defense. Just in the past few days, the team has added safety Duron Harmon, defensive tackle Kyle Peko, and defensive tackle Vernon Butler.

Raiders Sign S Duron Harmon

March 24th, 2022 at 5:39pm CST by Ben Levine

Since taking over in their roles with the Raiders, Josh McDaniels and Dave Ziegler have had a habit of recruiting former Patriots players to Las Vegas. We can add another player to the list, as the Raiders announced that they’ve signed veteran safety Duron Harmon. It’s a one-year deal, according to agent Andy Simms (on Twitter).

The 2013 third-round pick spent the first seven seasons of his career in New England, starting 29 of his 111 games. While Harmon usually had to settle for a backup role on defense, he still collected 17 interceptions during his time with the organization. The safety also earned three Super Bowl rings, seeing time in 17 playoff games (including a championship-winning 2016 postseason where he started all three games for the Patriots).

In 2020, Harmon was paired with a seventh-round pick and shipped to the Seahawks for a fifth-round pick. The veteran started all 16 games that year, collecting a career-high 73 tackles. He signed a one-year pact with the Falcons last offseason, and he started all 17 games for his new squad, finishing with 67 tackles, five passes defended, and two interceptions.

By our count, Harmon is the sixth former Patriots player to head to Las Vegas to join the GM/HC tandem. The safety joins a growing list that already includes defensive end Chandler Jones, running back/special teamer Brandon Bolden, fullback Jakob Johnson, quarterback Garrett Gilbert, and tight end Jacob Hollister. The Raiders also had interest in signing Stephon Gilmore, who won Defensive Player of the Year with the Patriots in 2019.

Raiders Sign DT Kyle Peko

March 22nd, 2022 at 9:11pm CST by Ben Levine

Kyle Peko is back in the AFC West. The Raiders announced that they have signed the defensive tackle.

Peko joined the Broncos as an undrafted free agent in 2016, and the defensive lineman ended up spending two-plus seasons with the organization. He had stops with the Bills and Colts before rejoining the Broncos for parts of the 2019 and 2020 seasons.

The 28-year-old spent the 2021 season in Tennessee, where he saw time in eight games, including his first three NFL starts. Peko finished the campaign with 10 tackles, two sacks, and one forced fumble while appearing in a third of his team’s defensive snaps.

This is the second defensive lineman that the Raiders added today. This afternoon, we learned that the team was signing former first-round defensive tackle Vernon Butler.

Raiders Sign WR Demarcus Robinson

March 22nd, 2022 at 5:27pm CST by Ben Levine

Demarcus Robinson has found a new home. The former Chiefs receiver is signing with the Raiders, reports ESPN’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter).

The wideout is inking a one-year deal with Las Vegas, per Schefter. We heard earlier today that Robinson was set to meet with the Raiders.

The 27-year-old wideout had spent his entire six-year career in Kansas City. He started 42 of 97 games during that span, including a 2020 campaign where he operated as a secondary piece in the Chiefs offense and finished with 45 catches for 466 yards and three touchdowns. However, the veteran has also had seasons like 2021, when he had a reduced role on offense and finished with only 264 receiving yards.

The writing seemed to be on the wall for Robinson’s future in Kansas City when the Chiefs added JuJu Smith-Schuster to a depth chart that already included Tyreek Hill and Mecole Hardman (not to mention Travis Kelce).

So, the receiver is off to Las Vegas. Robinson is the second post-worthy addition to the Raiders’ WR room this offseason. Having already traded for Davante Adams, the team also has reliable slot man Hunter Renfrow and tight end Darren Waller in the fold. Just like in Kansas City, Robinson will likely continue to rank third or fourth in terms of targets, although he should have a firm grasp of that spot on the depth chart.

Raiders Sign DT Vernon Butler

March 22nd, 2022 at 4:32pm CST by Ben Levine

The Raiders are adding a veteran defensive lineman. The team has inked defensive tackle Vernon Butler to a contract, per NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo (on Twitter).

It’s a one-year deal for Butler. ESPN’s Field Yates tweeted earlier today that Butler was set to visit Las Vegas.

Butler was a first-round pick by the Panthers back in 2016, but he didn’t do a whole lot during his first three seasons with the organization, collecting two sacks in 38 games. Naturally, the organization didn’t pick up his fifth-year option. The defensive tackle finally started some games during the 2019 season, and he popped a bit, finishing with six sacks.

Butler ended up getting a two-year contract from the Bills in 2020, and he started 10 of his 24 games during his time in Buffalo. The 27-year-old had 29 tackles and no sacks during his two seasons with the team, but he still managed to find himself playing on nearly half his team’s defensive snaps. Butler also started all three of the Bills’ playoff games in 2020.

Demarcus Robinson To Visit Raiders

March 22nd, 2022 at 9:56am CST by Adam La Rose

After the Chiefs added a new receiver in JuJu Smith-Schuster, they may be close to losing another. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports (on Twitter) that Demarcus Robinson is meeting with the Raiders. 

[RELATED: Raiders Acquire Adams From Packers]

Robinson, 27, has spent his entire six-year career in Kansas City. He started 42 of 97 games during that span, as his playing time fluctuated over the years. After reaching a peak snap percentage of 70% in 2019, his playing time has dropped for two straight years. The former fourth rounder has yet to miss a game in his NFL career.

Robinson’s best statistical season came in 2020. He posted 45 catches for 466 yards and three touchdowns in that campaign, operating as always as a secondary piece in the Chiefs’ passing offense. Overshadowed by Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill, he has been in competition with the likes of Mecole Hardman for targets, but averaged just over 45 per season in the five years in which he has been involved in the offense.

If he were to land in Vegas, Robinson would of course mark the second significant addition to the Raiders’ WR room. Having already traded for Davante Adams, the team also has reliable slot man Hunter Renfrow and tight end Darren Waller in the fold. Robinson would therefore likely continue to rank third or fourth in terms of targets amongst pass catchers. Much of his role in Kansas City, meanwhile, would go to the more accomplished Smith-Schuster.

Minor NFL Transactions: 3/21/22

March 21st, 2022 at 9:06pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s minor NFL transactions:

Buffalo Bills

Cincinnati Bengals

Denver Broncos

Jacksonville Jaguars

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Chargers

Miami Dolphins

Tennessee Titans

Raiders Sign TE Jacob Hollister

March 21st, 2022 at 8:45pm CST by Ben Levine

Josh McDaniels has recruited another former player to Las Vegas. The Raiders are signing tight end Jacob Hollister to a one-year deal, reports NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero (on Twitter).

Hollister was an UDFA pickup by the Patriots when McDaniels was New England’s offensive coordinator, seeing time in 23 games. He saw a larger offensive role during his two seasons in Seattle, collecting 558 receiving yards and six touchdowns between the 2019 and 2020 seasons.

The tight end reunited with Josh Allen in Buffalo last offseason, but he didn’t end up making the team. He later caught on with the Jaguars, hauling in nine receptions in seven games (two starts).

Hollister will be counted on for his blocking and special teams ability with the Raiders. He’ll be joining a depth chart that features Darren Waller and Foster Moreau.

Raiders Sign LB Kyler Fackrell

March 21st, 2022 at 5:55pm CST by Ben Levine

The Raiders have added some pass-rushing help to their defense. The team announced that they have signed linebacker Kyler Fackrell.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport (on Twitter), it’s a one-year deal for the 30-year-old defender.

Fackrell was a third-round pick by the Packers back in 2016, and the linebacker ended up spending four years in Green Bay, including a 2018 campaign where he finished with 10.5 sacks. Fackrell followed up that performance with a 1.5-sack season in 2019, and he had to settle for a one-year deal with the Giants in 2020.

After getting in 12 games with New York in 2020, the linebacker joined the Chargers for the 2021 campaign. He only started one of his 13 games, but he still finished the season with 17 tackles, three sacks, and one forced fumble. He had a brief stint on injured reserve that forced him to miss a month of the season.

 

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