CSN Bay Area

Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie set out to acquire “starter-type guys” in free agency. That was the term he used during a sit down at the NFL Scouting Combine. It was right one and, while there are few big names to speak of, it matches the Raiders haul. 

The Raiders have signed eight unrestricted free agents. Half of them are presumed starters. The others will fill important roles in the grand scheme.

“We feel really good about them,” McKenzie said on Saturday night, before the Raiders’ annual Commitment to Excellence dinner. “We had a plan. Every year, we go after a lot of guys. You’re not going to get them all. Our intent was to go after them hard and heavy, and we were able to add a whole lot of guys that we really like. We feel really good about the guys we were able to add.”

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The Raiders were able to acquire some quality pieces, including defensive tackle Dan Williams, middle linebacker Curtis Lofton and top center Rodney Hudson.

You don’t see receiver Randall Cobb, defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh or running back DeMarco Murray on the roster, a disappointment for McKenzie that was not a deterrent during his quest for quality pieces.

A major vacancy remains at the skill positions. The Raiders need to find help for young quarterback Derek Carr. They wanted to add talent at receiver and pass-catching tight end. Neither has panned out despite attempts to add veteran talent.

“That’s the way in played out,” McKenzie said. "We pursued some guys, but they ultimately have to make a decision.”

Those decisions point to skill-player acquisition in the NFL draft, quite possibly at the No. 4 overall pick. Receivers Amari Cooper and Kevin White should be available when the Raiders make that selection.

McKenzie plans to build through the draft, but used a slightly different tact when supplementing through free agency. He went younger, without a player over age 28. Last season, the Raiders signed several players 29 or older.

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“We wanted guys entering their prime who can give us a few years,” McKenzie said. “We felt like, with the leadership we have now, we could just add to the roster. Last year, we felt like we didn’t have leadership. We got guys who had played some years and they were able to help our younger guys. We feel like we grew from that. We continue to add some young players. We wanted to inject some starter-type guys who can help us try to win some ball games.”