Raiders Free Agency Grades After the First Week

With the first week of Free Agency under wraps, the Raiders were big spenders in the early stages. The Raiders made big moves, acquiring Antonio Brown through a trade and giving out the biggest contract to a tackle in NFL history signing Trent Brown.

The Raiders still weren’t done and added deep threat Tyrell Williams and versatile safety in Lamarcus Joyner. The Raiders have signed or resigned a total of ten players so far this season. What were the best acquisitions? Let’s grade the more significant moves this offseason.

Antonio Brown Trade

The transaction that set off all of free agency was the Raiders landing Brown via trade only using their third and fifth round picks. Brown wanted to play for Gruden, and Mike Mayock worked hard with the Steelers front office to make that happen.

Now, Gruden has to use Brown correctly and make sure he is targeted heavily in his offense. Brown could be in for a big year with all targets that will be available now that Jordy Nelson and Jared Cook are still looking for other teams. The Brown pick-up was the Raiders striking gold in the offseason.

Grade: A+

Trent Brown

The first transaction of the legal tampering period was the Raiders signing Trent Brown to the biggest contract in the NFL history for a tackle. Brown came away making $16.5 million over the next four years with over $37 million guaranteed overall.

Brown was coming off a good year with the Patriots and had an excellent playoff run, dominating AFC west competition that makes him valuable to the Raiders.

Mayock probably enjoyed watching Brown consistently push Joey Bosa out of the way for big holes. The Raiders overpaid for Brown, which does bring this grade down, but it is a good signing.

Grade: B+

Tyrell Williams

Willams is a deep threat the Raiders were looking for to stretch the defense. Coming in at 6’4” Williams is a matchup problem from the slot and dominates on post routes from inside. The Raiders landed Williams on what seemed to be an expensive deal but ended up with just a one year contract for $10 million, where the Raiders could leave the contract after 2019.

This makes the transaction a great value when you consider he was the best wide receiver on the free agent market. Mayock came out swinging with this deal.

Grade: B+

Lamarcus Joyner

Joyner was the first defensive signing of the free agency period by the Raiders at a serious position of need. The Raiders needed to add depth at the safety position with only Erik Harris and Karl Joesph on the roster. Joyner should step into the role of Marcus Gilchrist playing in the box, free safety, and slot corner to help play coverage on third down.

Hopefully, the Raiders play him at safety more often since his best season was roaming around in the back end of the defense. If the Raiders scheme Joyner in the defense correctly he could be a stand out player. If not, Raiders might not get a high return on their investment.

Grade: B

J.J. Nelson

J.J. Nelson is coming over on a cheap deal to hopefully add a deep threat for Gruden’s offense. Nelson is the type of receiver that Bruce Arians loves and led to him drafting the speedster as a late-round pick. Nelson never panned out in Arizona because of his inability to catch the football which is essential when playing wide receiver.

The Raiders could strike gold with a Ted Ginn Jr. like resurgence after his problems with drops early in his career, but Nelson might not make the team either.

Grade:D

Vontaze Burfict

Vontaze Burfict is the high profile player for all of the wrong reasons. Considered the dirtiest player in the NFL, Burfict has built a reputation as a head hunter, and a player who struggles to handle the emotions of the game.

Paul Guenther believes he can transform Burfict back into the 2015 version when he was the centerpiece of his defense. That remains to be seen, especially in the AFC West with good passing offenses who can expose his weaknesses in coverage. This seems like the usual “friends hiring friends” we always see the NFL, and you can’t always trust your friends.

Grade:C-

Josh Mauro

Josh Mauro was added as a depth signing to play defensive end in Guenther’s scheme. Mauro is a journeyman who only has three career sacks and usually plays strictly on run downs.

Mauro’s roster spot is not secure, with the Raiders adding defensive players in the draft that could cause Mauro to fall in the depth chart. We will see if he makes the team.

Grade: C