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Raiders To Re-Sign OL Alex Bars

March 29th, 2023 at 5:06pm CST by Adam La Rose

A starting member of the Raiders’ 2022 offensive line will remain in place next season. Guard Alex Bars is re-signing on a one-year deal, per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network (Twitter link).

The 27-year-old spent the first three seasons of his career with the Bears. Over that time, he logged a total of 11 starts across 38 total appearances. In the 2020 campaign, he saw work at center, as well as both guard positions. After primarily being used as a backup, his arrival in Vegas last offseason paved the way for his first full-time starting opportunity.

Bars started 14 of 15 contests with the Raiders in 2022, seeing a snap share of 87%. A member of the team’s in-flux offensive line, he saw time at left guard, but primarily worked at the opposite position during the year. As was the case during his tenure in Chicago, however, Bars delivered a highly underwhelming performance in terms of PFF ratings. He ranked 71st out of 77 qualifying guards in terms of overall grade (45.4).

That made Bars one of several Raiders linemen to underperform in 2022, though the unit is set to look quite familiar in at least the summer, if not the fall. Bars joins fellow interior contributors Hroniss Grasu and Netane Muti, along with tackles Brandon Parker, Jermaine Eluemunor and Justin Murray, as free agents who have re-upped with Vegas or inked a futures contract thus far.

As the Raiders continue to search for outside additions up front, Bars is now in place as an experienced backup or someone who can take on a starting role if needed. Given his level of play, however, a more notable move along the interior on Vegas’ part would come as little surprise.

AFC West Notes: Broncos, Ekeler, Raiders

March 29th, 2023 at 11:33am CST by Sam Robinson

Jarrett Stidham will replace Brett Rypien as Russell Wilson‘s Broncos backup, agreeing to a two-year, $10MM deal. While Stidham has fewer career starts than Rypien, his late-season Raiders cameo — particularly a 365-yard, three-touchdown performance against the 49ers’ No. 1-ranked defense — generated a market for the former Patriots fourth-round pick. Stidham chose the Broncos over the Raiders because of Las Vegas’ Jimmy Garoppolo signing and potential to also add a quarterback in the first round, per NBC Sports’ Peter King. From the Broncos’ perspective, Sean Payton views Stidham as an upward-trending option behind Wilson.

“There were a handful of No. 2s that either I have worked with, or we felt comfortable with,” Payton said, via the Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson. “In this case, I think he’s a No. 2 whose arrow is moving in a direction where we feel like he can become an NFL starter in our league. The evaluation was pretty crystal clear for all of us. I think he’s someone that’s going to be great in the room. He’s smart. Quietly, that was an important signing for us.”

Payton’s words do not point to a quarterback competition, but this addition does provide an option in case Wilson’s 2022 stumble was more indicative of a steep decline than being trapped in a dysfunctional offense. Here is the latest from the AFC West:

  • Wilson ran into a few injury problems during his shockingly mediocre first season in Denver. Knee trouble can be added to the Broncos quarterback’s list of ailments. Wilson underwent arthroscopic knee surgery shortly after last season ended, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. The 12th-year passer is expected to be ready for Payton’s first round of Broncos OTAs. This issue nagged Wilson for a few seasons, per Rapoport. Last year, the knee trouble accompanied hamstring, shoulder and lat issues, along with a late-season concussion. Wilson, who did not miss an NFL start until his 11th season, missed two games last year.
  • Dre’Mont Jones signed for slightly more per year than Zach Allen, committing to the Seahawks on a three-year, $51MM deal just after the ex-Cardinal agreed to a three-year, $45.75MM Broncos pact. But Jones ended up receiving less guaranteed money ($23MM) than Allen ($32.5MM). The Broncos viewed Jones’ initial asking price as too high, Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com notes, pointing to Jones — a player the team had long wanted to retain — preferring a change of scenery or reducing his demand as the market shifted. The Browns also pursued Jones but landed Dalvin Tomlinson shortly after the ex-Bronco’s Seattle pledge.
  • Austin Ekeler explained his trade request recently, correctly indicating his contract is out of step with the value he provides the Chargers. But GMs do not see a market forming for the former UDFA, Jason La Canfora of the Washington Post notes. Ekeler has outperformed most of his peers on their respective second contracts, but several teams took advantage of this year’s buyer’s market at the position. Many lesser backs filled roster holes. While Ekeler is still just 27 and could provide versatility for another team, the Bolts may not land too much for him. His four-year, $24.5MM contract runs through season’s end.
  • Robert Spillane signed a two-year, $7MM Raiders contract, coming over from the Steelers. That ended up being more than Denzel Perryman received to leave Las Vegas for Houston, and Spillane said (via The Athletic’s Vic Tafur) Raiders coaches want him to wear the green communication dot. This would point to the Raiders eyeing a big role for Spillane, a run-stuffer who logged a career-high 59% defensive snap rate in 2022.
  • The Raiders were planning to move Dylan Parham from guard to center, Tafur adds, but the team’s decision to retain starting snapper Andre James will lead to Parham staying at left guard (Twitter link). A 2022 third-round pick, Parham started all 17 Raiders games as a rookie. McDaniels said the Memphis alum will still work at center, pointing to this being the team’s backup plan in case James goes down.
  • Jerry Tillery‘s Raiders deal is a two-year, $6.8MM accord that includes $5.5MM in total guarantees, Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 tweets. The ex-Chargers first-round D-tackle is due a guaranteed $1.5MM roster bonus in 2024, though his 2024 base salary ($1.7MM) does not become fully guaranteed until next March.

Raiders To Add WR DeAndre Carter

March 29th, 2023 at 9:52am CST by Sam Robinson

DeAndre Carter‘s Raiders visit will end up producing an agreement. Going very John Facenda as he prepares to join a new team, the veteran wide receiver/return man confirmed he will move from Los Angeles to Las Vegas (Twitter link).

This is a one-year deal worth up to $2.38MM, The Score’s Jordan Schultz tweets. Carter visited the Raiders last week and will join multiple depth-level additions among Las Vegas’ receiving corps.

Jakobi Meyers signed with the Raiders on starter-level terms — three years, $33MM; $16MM fully guaranteed — but the team also re-signed Keelan Cole, added ex-Josh McDaniels charge Phillip Dorsett and agreed to terms with Steven Sims. Carter, who played with Sims in Washington, will provide more competition for roster spots behind the Meyers-Davante Adams–Hunter Renfrow starter trio.

The Raiders will be Carter’s sixth NFL team. The career return specialist showed he can contribute in the passing game. Keenan Allen‘s hamstring injury moved Carter into a regular role on the Chargers’ offense, and the 5-foot-8 performer established new career-high marks for receptions (46) and receiving yards (538). The former Eagles, Texans and Bears contributor will turn 30 next month.

A handful of teams have used Carter on both kick and punt returns. The Division I-FCS product notched a kick-return score with Washington in 2021 and served as Los Angeles’ full-time returner last season. His 11.7 yards per punt return ranked second in the NFL in 2022. Ameer Abdullah served as the Raiders’ kick returner in 2022; he re-signed with the team earlier this month. Cole and Renfrow split punt-return duties during McDaniels’ first season; Carter should be expected to take over.

Draft Rumors: Commanders, Texans, Bears, Titans, Panthers, Raiders, Falcons

March 28th, 2023 at 2:54pm CST by Sam Robinson

Reported as a team not interested in Lamar Jackson, the Commanders are indeed going in another direction at quarterback. Ron Rivera confirmed Tuesday his team will not pursue the dual-threat superstar and, via the Washington Post’s Nicki Jhabvala, never considered doing so (Twitter link).

“It was something we feel didn’t suit what we want to do,” Rivera said. “We know he’s a tremendous player. I just didn’t think that was the direction we wanted to go.”

Washington, however, will likely be hosting other quarterbacks during the pre-draft process. The team will not rule out taking a QB in Round 1, Rivera said Tuesday (Twitter link). The Commanders hold the No. 16 overall pick; they will almost definitely need to complete a vault up the draft board to land one of the top four QBs. The Panthers will take a quarterback first overall, while the Texans, Colts, Seahawks, Raiders, Falcons and Titans — each a QB suitor or a team that would make sense as such — sit ahead of them. The Commanders passed on trading up for Justin Fields or Mac Jones two years ago and had Carson Wentz in place in 2022, tabling draft matters at the position.

Here is the latest from the draft circuit:

  • The Texans have already brought in Will Levis and Anthony Richardson for pre-draft visits, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets. Houston will also host Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud on “30” visits soon. On track to draft a first-round quarterback for the first time since Deshaun Watson in 2017, the Texans should be expected to consider the top four options. Their Week 18 win in Indianapolis, however, allowed the Bears to leapfrog them for the draft’s top slot. The Panthers now hold that pick and will have first dibs on this year’s QB crop.
  • Before making their trade with the Panthers, the Bears discussed trading back with the Texans — as part of a multi-trade effort to accumulate picks — Ryan Poles said recently (via NBC Sports’ Peter King). That scenario would have had the Bears trading from No. 1 to 2 to 9, putting the Texans at first overall and the Panthers at No. 2, but SI.com’s Albert Breer notes negotiations with the Texans dragged while Panthers talks accelerated. Poles said his relationship with Panthers GM Scott Fitterer, dating back to duo’s days as scouts, helped the process. Giving Fields a chance to grow with a new regime, the Bears now hold the No. 9 overall pick this year.
  • At least five teams will meet with Richardson before the draft. The Panthers, Colts, Raiders, Falcons and Titans will get together with the Florida-developed passer, Cameron Wolfe of NFL.com tweets. Each team holds a top-11 pick, and it can be considered a lock reps from each will be on-hand at Richardson’s pro day Thursday in Gainesville.
  • Titans GM Ran Carthon, HC Mike Vrabel and assistant GM Chad Brinker were among the seven Tennessee staffers at Stroud’s pro day last week, The Athletic’s John Rexrode notes (subscription required). The Panthers topped that, sending a whopping 14 staffers to Columbus for Stroud’s throwing event. Stroud met with the Panthers, Raiders, Seahawks and Titans, Breer adds. Carthon and Vrabel, however, were also at Levis’ pro day last week, Breer tweets. Pete Carroll and John Schneider went to Kentucky to represent the Seahawks for that event, too. Carthon also attended Young’s pro day. While the new Tennessee GM gave some support for four-year Titans starter Ryan Tannehill, it was far from a full-fledged endorsement.
  • Josh McDaniels said the Raiders are open to taking a QB at No. 7 overall, despite signing Jimmy Garoppolo, and The Athletic’s Vic Tafur notes he and GM Dave Ziegler observed Stroud and Young’s pro days. In addition to the Raiders meeting with Levis before his pro day, Tafur adds the Kentucky QB will visit Las Vegas soon. McDaniels did not rule out the Raiders adding a veteran backup as well; Jarrett Stidham left for a two-year, $10MM Broncos deal. The team’s presence at pro days also could serve as a way to drive up trade interest in the No. 7 pick.

NFL Workout Notes: Giants, Campbell, Edwards, Neal, Carter, Fluker

March 25th, 2023 at 3:44pm CST by Ely Allen

As the initial surge of free agency has died down a bit, there are still several assets available on the market. The Giants have been fairly active in free agency and have had quite a few free agents visit for evaluations.

After allowing starting center Jon Feliciano to depart for San Francisco in free agency, the team decided to kick the tires on center J.C. Hassenauer, according to Jordan Raanan of ESPN. The former Steeler has some starting experience and would add some depth and competition behind Ben Bredeson.

The team also decided to check out a potential depth piece for the secondary in former Vikings cornerback Kris Boyd, according to Darren Wolfson of 5 Eyewitness News in Minnesota. Boyd was able to provide some defensive depth as a seventh-round draft pick out of Texas for the Vikings, but his true value in Minnesota came on special teams, an added benefit that should help him find a roster spot moving forward.

If you thought the Giants had enough receivers, they clearly don’t agree as they reportedly hosted former Raiders and Falcons wideout Bryan Edwards, according to Jordan Schultz of theScore. Edwards barely played last year after getting traded to Atlanta and signing to the Chiefs’ practice squad, but he gets a chance to compete for serious snaps in New York. The Giants have a bevy of wide receivers but lack any sure-handed starters. The team returns Darius Slayton, Isaiah Hodgins, Wan’Dale Robinson, Sterling Shepard, David Sills, and Collin Johson but has added Parris Campbell, Jamison Crowder, and Jeff Smith in free agency. It looks like a collection of strong No. 3 and 4 receivers that lacks the talent of a strong No. 1 or 2. This provides Edwards a window to perform well and earn playing time.

Lastly, according to ESPN’s Field Yates, the team hosted linebacker Justin Hollins, who started five games for the Rams last year. Hollins would be another potential depth piece for the Giants’ defense.

Here are a few other workout rumors from around the league:

  • After getting released by the Ravens for cap purposes, the former “Mayor of Sacksonville” could be poised for a return to the Jaguars. According to Demetrius Harvey of the Florida Times-Union, defensive lineman Calais Campbell visited his former team this past week. After an earlier visit with the Falcons, the veteran also has future visits planned with the Bills and Jets, according to Tiffany Blackmon of 92.9 The Game.
  • The Seahawks may be looking to replace some defensive line depth after losing defensive end L.J. Collier to free agency. Seattle hosted veteran defensive end Mario Edwards earlier this week, according to Yates. Edwards is looking to join potentially his sixth franchise since entering the league. He started seven games for the Titans last year.
  • After losing safety Marcus Epps to free agency, the Eagles continue to look at safety options. Philadelphia hosted safety Keanu Neal earlier this week, according to Yates. Unfortunately for Neal, the team signed former Steelers first-round pick Terrell Edmunds yesterday, adding him to the addition of Justin Evans. Neal has experience playing linebacker, though, which may afford him an additional chance to make a roster as free agency continues.
  • While the wide receiver waters have been fairly stagnant, former Chargers wideout DeAndre Carter‘s market is starting to heat up. After a career year, the 29-year-old visited the Raiders yesterday, according to Schultz. The Raiders have added Jakobi Meyers, Phillip Dorsett, and Steven Sims after losing Mack Hollins. Carter would likely be competing for WR3 snaps behind Davante Adams and Meyers.
  • Offensive lineman D.J. Fluker, who last appeared in an NFL game in 2020 with the Ravens, is seeking a return to the NFL. Fluker spent 2021 on three different teams’ practice squads, but after getting released from the Jaguars’ on New Year’s Eve 2021, he has remained a free agent for over a year. According to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network, Fluker worked out at Alabama’s pro day this year with top prospects Bryce Young and Will Anderson. The workout drew some attention from NFL teams and could help Fluker make it back to the league.

Raiders Sign DT John Jenkins

March 24th, 2023 at 3:32pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Raiders have made an outside addition to their defensive line for the first time so far in free agency. The team announced on Friday that they have signed defensive tackle John Jenkins.

This deal sets Jenkins up for a sixth career NFL franchise, having bounced around the league after being drafted in 2013 by the Saints. He most recently spent the past two seasons in Miami, working in a rotational capacity behind entrenched starters Raekwon Davis and Christian Wilkins. Jenkins’ departure will leave the Dolphins in need of a depth replacement at nose tackle.

The 33-year-old has seen a snap share of 50% only once in his career, the 2015 season. Since then, his playing time has fluctuated, but it dropped in 2022 compared to the year prior, which itself represented his second stint with Miami. Jenkins totaled 20 tackles last season, adding one stop in the team’s wild card loss. A new depth role likely awaits him in Vegas.

The Raiders have made a number of moves on defense this offseason, aiming to bolster a unit which made a habit of blowing double-digit leads in 2022. That effort had yielded little along the defensive line to date, however. Vegas has lost Andrew Billings to the Bears, while re-signing midseason waiver claim Jerry Tillery. Jenkins will look to carve out a rotational role behind the latter, along with the likes of Bilal Nichols and Neil Farrell Jr.

More moves could be coming on the Raiders’ part along the defensive interior, since Isaac Rochelle and Kyle Peko are still on the open market. With Jenkins in place, the unit will have at least one new member, however, as the team aims to take a step forward on defense in 2023.

Raiders Sign CB Duke Shelley

March 23rd, 2023 at 11:23am CST by Sam Robinson

Similar to their defensive line strategy in 2022, the Raiders look to be buying in bulk at cornerback. They have now added a third corner with starting experience this offseason.

Duke Shelley agreed to terms with the Silver and Black on Thursday, the team announced. Shelley has spent his career in the NFC North, suiting up for the Bears and Vikings over the past four years. While Shelley has seen special teams action, he has been a regular on defense in both Chicago and Minnesota over the past two years.

The Vikings turned to Shelley as a starter on five occasions last season; the former sixth-round pick became the primary replacement for Cameron Dantzler during his IR stay. The Vikings also lost second-round pick Andrew Booth to what turned out to be a season-ending injury, further opening the door for Shelley. The Kansas State product played in 11 games for the Vikes in 2022, despite spending time on their practice squad, and logged a 52% snap rate during those contests.

This qualifies as an interesting flier. Although Shelley played just 397 snaps on defense with the Vikings, Pro Football Focus rated the 5-foot-9 defender as its No. 4 overall cornerback. Shelley allowed just a 45.7% completion rate — on 46 targets — and limited quarterbacks to a collective 55.2 passer rating as the closest defender in coverage. The Raiders will bring him aboard to see if the career backup’s 2022 work was a fluke.

The Bears used Shelley on 61% of their defensive plays in 2021 but waived him shortly after roster-cutdown day last year. He worked as a slot corner that year in Chicago but played on the boundary last season in Minnesota, as Chandon Sullivan manned the slot. The change provided intriguing results.

Shelley, 26, joins Brandon Facyson and David Long as corners to have signed with the Raiders since free agency’s outset. The team still has Nate Hobbs and Amik Robertson on its roster. The holdovers’ presences alongside the depth signings notwithstanding, this should still be considered a need area for the team. But Josh McDaniels‘ club is collecting some low-cost options this offseason.

Raiders, TE Austin Hooper Agree To Terms

March 22nd, 2023 at 2:50pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Raiders met with Austin Hooper on Wednesday, per NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (on Twitter), and he will join the Silver and Black. The sides agreed on terms, The Score’s Jordan Schultz tweets.

Hooper has bounced around the league; he spent 2022 with the Titans. The Raiders will be his fourth NFL team. The former Falcons, Browns and Titans tight end will sign a one-year deal worth $2.75MM, Mike Garafolo of NFL.com tweets. The deal can max out at $3.5MM, but the Raiders will save quite a bit by making a Darren Waller-to-Hooper pivot.

Going from Waller to Hooper, 28, represents an obvious downgrade in athleticism, Hooper’s two Pro Bowls (as an alternate) aside. Hooper did finish last season with 41 receptions for 444 yards and three touchdowns. Despite the Titans’ passing game sinking toward the bottom of the league, Hooper totaled the most receiving yards since his Falcons days. Waller is one of just eight tight ends in NFL history to post multiple 1,100-yard receiving seasons, though he has not done so since 2020.

Before George Kittle‘s second contract and Travis Kelce‘s third moved the tight end market north from its stagnant place during Rob Gronkowski‘s Patriots-friendly agreement, the Browns made Hooper the league’s highest-paid tight end. Hooper landed a four-year, $42MM deal with Cleveland in 2020 but could not live up to it. Working alongside David Njoku, Hooper topped out at 435 receiving yards in a season during his Cleveland stay. The Browns bailed on the deal, designating Hooper as a post-June 1 cut, in 2022.

The Raiders gave Waller a $17MM-per-year pact, which, for AAV purposes, became the new tight end standard in September. But Waller battled a lingering hamstring injury that sidelined him for eight games last season. In 2021, the talented tight end missed six. Some among the Raiders expressed frustration with Waller last season, and the Giants dealt away their Kadarius Toney-obtained third-rounder for the 30-year-old playmaker. The Raiders are moving on, but Hooper should probably not be considered their only offseason addition.

Hooper, who did eclipse 600 receiving yards with Matt Ryan in 2018 and ’19, has also been more available compared to Waller. Hooper has missed one game over the past two seasons. It will be interesting to see how he fits in Josh McDaniels‘ offense; Pro Football Focus rated Hooper as one of the NFL’s worst run-blocking tight ends last season.

Ex-Waller sidekick Foster Moreau remains a free agent, though he met with the Bengals recently. The Raiders will also have the option of taking a tight end in what is believed to be a rich crop of prospects in this year’s draft. But Hooper will provide Jimmy Garoppolo with a veteran presence and will do so at a low cost, which will be important to a team with three eight-figure-per-year wideouts and a running back on the franchise tag.

Raiders Expected To Sign CB David Long

March 22nd, 2023 at 9:52am CST by Sam Robinson

A fifth-year cornerback who has played a part-time role with the Rams, David Long plans to sign with the Raiders. It is a one-year agreement, The Score’s Jordan Schultz tweets.

This comes more than a week after the Dolphins took the other David Long, a former Titans linebacker, off the market. While the NFL’s two-David Long free agency market did not generate the attention the league’s two available Connor McGoverns did coming into the league year, the Longs have edged the McGoverns in finding destinations. After the Bills signed the ex-Cowboys guard, the veteran center remains a free agent.

This David Long, a third-round Rams draftee in 2019, spent the past two seasons as a regular alongside Jalen Ramsey in Los Angeles. The Rams have now lost Long, Ramsey and Darious Williams from their Super Bowl LVI-winning team. Long, 25, played 47% of the Rams’ defensive snaps in 2021 and logged a 37% snap rate last season.

Although Long played only 288 defensive snaps last season (after a 516-snap 2021), he allowed a 75% completion rate and a 113.3 passer rating as the closest defender in coverage. The Michigan alum fared better in 2021, allowing just more than 60% of the passes thrown his way to be completed and limited QBs to a collective 84.9 rating. Long added a pick-six in the Rams’ wild-card rout of the Cardinals that season. The Raiders will take a flier on the 5-foot-11 defender.

Las Vegas showed interest in bringing back Rock Ya-Sin, but the 2022 trade acquisition remains on the market. The team entered free agency with a need at corner, and despite the addition of Long and reunion with Brandon Facyson, this almost definitely remains a need area for Josh McDaniels‘ team.

Minor NFL Transactions: 3/20/23

March 20th, 2023 at 10:24pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are Monday’s minor moves:

Cincinnati Bengals

Cleveland Browns

Denver Broncos

Green Bay Packers

Las Vegas Raiders

New Orleans Saints

New York Giants

San Francisco 49ers

The Giants are giving Leonard Johnson a three-year deal, Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 tweets. The former Duke prospect suffered a torn ACL while training for the 2022 draft; the Giants worked him out Monday and saw enough to take a flier. While Ford made two starts for the Falcons last season, the ex-UDFA is best known for his special teams work. He saw action on 83% of Atlanta’s ST plays last season, and Ian Rapoport of NFL.com notes (via Twitter) the Bengals are giving him a one-year deal worth up to $2.25MM.

Both Scharping and Lonnie Johnson are former Texans second-round picks. The Texans waived Scharping on roster-cutdown day in August, but the Bengals claimed him. Although Scharping only played 30 snaps for Cincinnati last season, the team will keep him around for another run at a backup gig. Months before bailing on Scharping, the Texans traded Johnson to the Chiefs. But Kansas City did not see much from the acquisition in camp and waived him. The Titans picked up Johnson via waivers, using him as a backup. Johnson has experience at both cornerback and safety, and The Score’s Jordan Schultz adds he agreed to a one-year Saints deal (Twitter link).

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