With The First Pick
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Oakland Raiders Can Re-sign Perry Riley Jr. Now

By Carl Cockerham

Oct 9, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders linebacker Perry Riley Jr. (54) is congratulated by outside linebacker Bruce Irvin (51) after forcing a fumble against the San Diego Chargers in the first quarter at Oakland Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 9, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders linebacker Perry Riley Jr. (54) is congratulated by outside linebacker Bruce Irvin (51) after forcing a fumble against the San Diego Chargers in the first quarter at Oakland Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Free agent ILB Perry Riley Jr. improved the Raiders defense last year. But the Raiders didn’t show him the love they should have this offseason. Perhaps they will now that Zach Brown has signed with the Washington Redskins.

Sometimes, solid players just don’t get the love or credit they deserve no matter what they do. The Washington Redskins selected ILB Perry Riley Jr. in the fourth round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He would eventually earn a starting position and sign a good contract.

Then he had an injury-riddled 2015 and the Redskins decided to go cheaper at the position. He remained on the streets until the Oakland Raiders signed him just in time for Week 5 in 2016. The defense was on pace for historical worsts before Riley joined the team.

And with him, they played at a top 10 level but when the season ended, he wasn’t a priority. Instead, they made Zach Brown, coming off a breakout year, their top priority. But Brown is now a Redskin as he signed with the team Monday and Riley remains unsigned.

I don’t know what he has to do to get respect but I’ve always said I’d rather have him than Brown. Yes, Brown racked up 149 tackles playing behind Marcell Dareus but Riley was ranked higher by Pro Football Focus. And you can’t argue with how he improved the defense.

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In the five weeks before Riley’s arrival, the Raiders were giving up 450 yards per game. Then Riley came in and brought that number down considerably with his play. In games that he was the starter and played significant snaps, the Raiders gave up 338 yards per game.

In games that he didn’t see significant snaps, the Raiders game up 392 yards per game. That’s the difference between the No. 10 and the No. 31 defense in the NFL. He was an absolute difference-maker that should have been offered a contract to come back already.

Putting him together with Jelani Jenkins, Bruce Irvin and Khalil Mack make a great LB corps. So with Brown out of the way, the Raiders need to take care of business and re-sign Riley. That’s the move the team needed to make in the first place.

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