KC Chiefs: Grading each AFC West team’s 2019 offseason
By Cullen Jekel
In free agency, the team made a bunch of one-year deals while handing out only a few multi-year contracts.
The Raiders brought back running back Doug Martin to pair with Jacobs. Oakland didn’t add any competition to quarterback Derek Carr, but they did acquire him two back-ups in Mike Glennon and Landry Jones.
More importantly, Oakland acquired several receivers in J.J. Nelson and Ryan Grant while adding tight end Luke Willson. The big catch, though, was poaching wide receiver Tyrell Williams from the Chargers on a four-year deal worth $44.3 million. The biggest deal handed out was to tackle Trent Brown–$66 million over four years.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Raiders added castoff linebackers Brandon Marshall (Broncos) and Vontaze Burfict (Bengals), the latter of which may be the most Raiders transaction ever. The team also signed free safety Lamarcus Joyner away from the Rams for four years, $42 million.
Still, the biggest splash remains the trade Oakland made with the Pittsburgh Steelers to acquire star wide receiver Antonio Brown for two 2019 draft picks, a third- and fifth-rounder.
Oakland then re-inked the 30-year-old Brown to a three-year deal worth just over $50 million, banking on him extending his streak of six consecutive seasons of at least 101 receptions. Brown also has seven seasons of at least 1,000 yards receiving, including six straight.
In the end, the Raiders went through a lot of upheaval this offseason, losing a chunk of its roster while also adding pieces that should help the team improve on its 4-12 record.
The Raiders won’t be as much of a cakewalk in 2019, but should still end with double-digit losses. It remains apparent that this team is gearing up to compete after its move to Las Vegas, similar to how the Rams finished out in St. Louis before making a serious of moves once the team settled in Los Angeles.
At least, that’s the blueprint.