Raiders Had Interest In CB Joe Haden
The Raiders expressed interest in cornerback Joe Haden before he signed with the Steelers on Thursday, according to Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Twitter link).
Haden, of course, signed with the Steelers just minutes after being officially released by the Browns, but he managed to generate an extremely fruitful market during his brief period as a free agent. A number of clubs, including the Dolphins, Eagles, Saints, Chiefs, Cowboys, and 49ers were all mentioned as potential suitors for Haden, who ultimately leveraged that interest into a three-year, $27MM deal with Pittsburgh.
Oakland ranked just 25th in DVOA against the pass a season ago, and the team is already experiencing turnover at its cornerback position. Sean Smith, who inked a hefty free agent contract in 2016, has been demoted from the Raiders’ starting lineup, meaning T.J. Carrie is now playing opposite David Amerson. First-round rookie Gareon Conley is available, as well, but he was only activated off the PUP list on Tuesday.
Raiders Extend WR Seth Roberts
The Raiders have agreed to a new three-year, $12MM with wide receiver Seth Roberts, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). Roberts will earn $6.45MM in guarantees and is now under team control through 2019. Oakland has officially announced the transaction.
Roberts, 26, had been scheduled to become a restricted free agent next offseason after earning just $615K in 2017. The Raiders could have placed the first-round tender on Roberts in 2018 at a cost of roughly $4MM, meaning they’d have controlled him for the next two seasons at a cost ~$4.7MM. Given that his new contract is worth $12MM over three seasons, Oakland is valuing Roberts’ 2019 season at roughly $7.3MM.
The Raiders have used Roberts as a third wide receiver for the past two seasons, during which he’s appeared in all 32 possible games. During that time, Roberts has averaged 35 receptions,, 438 yards, and five touchdowns per year while playing behind Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree. Football Outsiders hasn’t been a fan of Roberts’ work, however, ranking him 83rd and 84th in DVOA and DYAR, respectively, among 94 qualifiers.
Oakland has been extremely willing to lock up its core pieces this offseason, as its agreed to extensions with quarterback Derek Carr and offensive guard Gabe Jackson over the past several months before signing Roberts to a multi-year pact today.
Raiders Could Add Linebacker Before Season
- The Raiders may attempt to acquire a linebacker via trade or waiver claim in the coming days, according to Michael Gehlken of the Las Vegas Review-Journal. As Gehlken writes, the club didn’t invest much in the position in the offseason – it signed Jelani Jenkins for $1MM and used a fifth-round pick on Marquel Lee – and Cory James is now dealing with an undisclosed injury.
Gareon Conley Activated Off PUP
The Raiders have activated rookie cornerback Gareon Conley from the active/PUP list, the club announced today, adding that Conley is practicing for the first time on Tuesday. Conley, of course, slid to the 24th overall selection in the draft following rape allegations, but he was eventually cleared and won’t face charges. While he still needs to get up to speed, it’s possible Conley could become a starter sooner rather than later. Fellow cornerback Sean Smith –who’s facing his own legal troubles — has been demoted from Oakland’s starting lineup, meaning Conley could see expanded action during his rookie campaign.
Raiders Cut Jimmy Bean
Oakland Raiders
Donald Penn Ends Holdout
Raiders left tackle Donald Penn reported to practice Wednesday, bringing his holdout to an end after nearly a month away from the team. Penn sat out for all of training camp, which began July 28, and two of the Raiders’ preseason games. The Raiders could have fined him $40K for each day he was absent, but there’s no word on whether they did.
Penn, who’s in his fourth year with the Raiders, held out in an effort to land a raise over the $5.8MM base salary he’s scheduled to earn this season. Although he’s one of the premier tackles in the NFL, Penn is just 21st among bookends in annual contract value, having inked a two-year, $14MM deal prior to the 2016 campaign. The 34-year-old is seeking top 10 money relative to his position, which would mean upward of $11.25MM per annum, but it doesn’t appear general manager Reggie McKenzie has agreed to give Penn any type of increase yet. Penn reported to practice in a good faith maneuver, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.
Regardless of whether the Raiders and Penn do find common ground in negotiations, it’s obvious his return is a boon to the Super Bowl hopefuls’ offensive line. The unit is among the best in the league, with fellow top-end starters Kelechi Osemele, Gabe Jackson and Rodney Hudson joining Penn to protect Derek Carr and block for Marshawn Lynch. Penn arguably boasts the most impressive track record of any, having never missed a regular-season game in his 10-year career. Last year, his ninth straight 16-start campaign, Pro Football Focus ranked Penn as the game’s 12th-best tackle.
Raiders OT Donald Penn Expected To Report
Donald Penn is likely to end his holdout and report to the Raiders at some point this week, possibly as early as Tuesday, sources tell Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle. Penn initiated his holdout in late July with the end goal of earning a top-ten left tackle salary.
Penn, 34, is scheduled to earn $5.8MM in 2017, and Oakland general manager Reggie McKenzie indicated that the club wouldn’t renegotiate that figure unless Penn showed up for training camp. Even if Penn reports, the Raiders aren’t expected to rework his deal, per Tafur, although they could choose to guarantee his 2017 salary. That would mark an extremely minor concession on the part of Oakland, as Penn was clearly going to make the Week 1 roster and therefore see his salary guaranteed.
A remarkably durable player, Penn hasn’t missed a single game during his decade-long career. Last year, Penn ranked as the NFL’s No. 12 offensive tackle, according to Pro Football Focus, while playing nearly every offensive snap for the Raiders.
Oakland, of course, boasts one of the league’s best offensive lines, and has continually been willing to invest in its front five, handing large contracts to Kelechi Osemele, Gabe Jackson, and Rodney Hudson. Last year, the unit ranked first in adjusted sack rate and 11th in adjusted line yards, per Football Outsiders.
Penn’s yearly contract value of $6.25MM ranks just 21st among NFL left tackles, as he’s sandwiched between the Cardinals’ Jared Veldheer (who’s being shifted to the right side) and former No. 2 draft pick Greg Robinson.
Raiders Coach Backs Sean Smith
- Raiders coach Jack Del Rio offered some support for Sean Smith as he faces felony assault charges. “I think we’ll let him battle legally what issues he has,” Del Rio said (via Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle). “I don’t really have anything to add to it. I mean, I think you heard the story. He was defending his sister. Obviously, things occurred that were taken issue with, so he’s having to defend himself right now.” Smith played in the team’s second preseason game Saturday night and right now there’s no reason to believe that the team will come down on him with a suspension. However, depending on how things shake out, Smith may have to answer to the legal system and the league office.
E.J. Manuel Ahead Of Connor Cook
- Viewed as the AFC West favorite despite the Chiefs’ sweep in this rivalry last season, the Raiders have seen their backup quarterback picture clear up to some degree in recent days. Jack Del Rio said (via Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle) said E.J. Manuel has outperformed Connor Cook so far and is in the No. 2 spot behind Derek Carr. A former Bills first-rounder, Manuel signed a modest one-year deal with the Raiders early in free agency.
- The Raiders’ current depth chart has two recent Day 3 draft picks as starters at the non-rush linebacker spots, with second-year sixth-rounder Cory James stationed as Oakland’s first-team weakside ‘backer and fifth-round rookie Marquel Lee in the middle. Lee’s spot may be less certain, per Tafur, who adds the Raiders will likely look to the waiver wire to add another inside linebacker if the Wake Forest product falters. The Raiders signed Perry Riley midway through last season, and the former Redskins starter became a quality performer for the Silver and Black. Still a free agent, the 29-year-old Riley would seemingly be an option. Reggie McKenzie said the 2016 starter was a consideration, but that was back in May. The Dolphins passed on Riley as a Raekwon McMillan replacement, choosing to sign Rey Maualuga instead.
Latest On Raiders CB Sean Smith
Raiders cornerback Sean Smith has been charged with assault and the latest word on the incident is not great. The victim – his sister’s boyfriend – was beaten so badly that he wound up in critical condition with multiple broken bones in his face, TMZ Sports has learned. 
[RELATED: Raiders’ Sean Smith Charged With Assault]
Smith’s attorney says he’s innocent, but cops claim that Smith beat the man and then stomped his head. Investigators spoke with multiple witnesses at the scene who say that Smith was the assailant in this Fourth of July fracas.
Smith was hoping to return as a starting cornerback for the Raiders in 2017, but he now has bigger fish to fry. Smith due back in court to be arraigned in September after posting 80K bond this week. The 30-year-old could face up to seven years in prison if he’s convicted of the charges.
The NFL has been known to suspend and/or fine players even when the legal system clears them of wrongdoing, so it’s quite possible that he’ll face punishment from the league office. Reportedly, Smith could temporarily wind up on paid leave while the case gets sorted out.
In 2016, his first year with Oakland, Smith totaled 40 tackles and two interceptions. He is slated to enter the second year of a four-year, $40MM contract.