Oakland Raiders Establish Identity in Free Agency

October 5, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs center Rodney Hudson (61) blocks San Francisco 49ers nose tackle Ian Williams (93) during the third quarter at Levi

Offense

To play that smash-mouth on offense, the Raiders picked up center Rodney Hudson, who run-blocks well. He often manhandles men that are 330-pounds-plus and excels in pass protection too.  And he’s a major upgrade over former Raider Stefen Wisniewski, who overpriced himself to the point that he still doesn’t have a job yet.

Raiders fans wanted Julius Thomas, a good pass-catching tight end, but that’s not what the Raiders need. So the Raiders opted for Jermaine Gresham, who’s a solid run-blocker and at the same time faster with just as good of hands. A herniated disk prevented the signing so far but I’m sure this will be revisited at some point as Gresham mends.

Lee Smith is another tight end that was brought into the fold as at 6’6″, 266 pounds, he’s a blocker. He’s very good at it too so we’ll see plenty of him in goal line and short-yardage situations. With a guy like Smith, you don’t have to have a tackle be the third tight end if he’s in there with Gresham, and Nick Kasa.

Next: Defenser