The Oakland Raiders have struck again in the 2016 NFL free agency!
After agreeing to terms with OL Kelechi Osemeli and LB Bruce Irvin Wednesday, the Raiders are back at it. Thursday morning, the Raiders and cornerback Sean Smith agreed to terms on a deal. It’s a four-year deal worth $40 million with $20 million guaranteed for quietly one of the best cornerbacks in the game.
Smith’s per-year figure now has in the ball park the top 10 among corners in the NFL in terms of compensation. The 28-year-old defender played his last three seasons in Kansas City following four in Miami. While Chiefs rookie Marcus Peters got all the praise last year, Smith was the team’s top corner.
So while the 6’3″, 214-pounder is the perfect fit for the Raiders’ bump-and-run coverage, he strengthens the Raiders while weakening the Chiefs. Smith will slide in opposite Dave Amerson, who came on strong during the 2015 season. With two bump-and-run cornerbacks outside, the Raiders pass rush will have time to get there.
Khalil Mack, who had 15 sacks in 2015, should see that number go up with the coverage they’ll have. And he won’t be alone as Bruce Irvin, Aldon Smith, Mario Edwards Jr., and possibly the Raiders 2016 No. 14 overall to help. Expect the Raiders to start getting respect with the buzz of a team ready to make the leap into the playoffs as they now have a championship defense.
They say the NFL is a better league when the Raiders are winning.
If that’s the case, the NFL will be better in 2016!