With free agency under a month away, we check in on the Raiders’ center position to give it a condition of either Strong, Stable, Unstable, Serious, or Critical.
Starter: Rodney Hudson
Backups: Andre James, Cameron Hunt, Erik Magnuson
Free agents: Jordan Devey
There isn’t a center in the league better than Rodney Hudson. You could argue there are a couple who are comparable to the second-team All-Pro, but there’s simply none better. The stalwart center hasn’t given up a sack since 2017. TWO WHOLE SEASONS. And he’s a stellar run blocker as well and as smart as they come.
Jon Gruden couldn’t say enough about Andre James in last year’s camp. The undrafted former tackle out of UCLA was moved to center and impressed the hell out of Gruden enough to have him make the roster despite the presence of veteran Jordan Devey there as well.
Hunt and Magnuson will provide some depth and competition to be one of the other utility interior linemen on the team.
Condition: Strong
Obviously, Hudson is the man here. The team gave him a 3-year extension before last season, so he will continue to be the man at center until at least 2022. And if James is the talent Gruden seems to think he is, he is content with him as the primary backup as well. They’re set at the center position.
