Raiders free agency history: Who’s come and gone under Gruden-Mayock and Gruden-McKenzie regimes
Gruden #Gruden
At least Rodney Hudson is still around.
Hudson is the shining example of the good that can come of free agency. The Raiders’ center has had his original contract extended after signing in 2015 and is proof it’s possible to get it right.
The free agency negotiating period begins Monday, with players eligible to sign on Wednesday and the stat of the new league year.
Hudson arrived in the Reggie McKenzie era and was the best free agent acquisition from the man who was hand-picked by Mark Davis to be the Raiders’ general manager in 2014. McKenzie worked into 2018 and assisted with the incoming free agent class — and one year with coach Jon Gruden — before the head coach pushed him out in favor of Mike Mayock.
It hasn’t been pretty. The only free agents who came aboard in Gruden’s first year who played through 2020 are tight end Derek Carrier and defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins, both of whom are scheduled for free agency starting Monday.
A look the comings and goings in free agency with Gruden and McKenzie in 2018 and Gruden and Mayock in 2019 and 2020:
2018
Record: 4-12, last in AFC West
Arrivals: CB Rashaan Melvin, LB Tahir Whitehead, S Marcus Gilchrist, TE Derek Carrier, RB Doug Martin, FB Keith Smith, KR Dwayne Harris, LS Andrew DaPaola, WR Griff Whalen, CB Leon Hall, S Reggie Nelson, LB Emmanuel Lamur, DE Tank Carradine, CB Shareece Wright, DT Johnathan Hankins, CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, DE Frostee Rucker, G Chaz Green, QB A.J. McCarron (trade), CB Daryl Worley.
Departures: WR Michael Crabtree (cut), DE Denico Autry, CB TJ Carrie, LS Jon Condo, PK Sebastian Janikowski, QB E.J. Manuel, CB Sean Smith (cut), CB Domnique Rodgers-Cromartie (retired in season), G Jon Feliciano, TE Lee Smith (cut), Kelechi Osemele (traded), PK Sebastian Janikowski.
2019
Record: 7-9, third place
Arrivals: WR Tyrell Williams, T Trent Brown, CB Lamarcus Joyner, LB Vontaze Burfict, CB Nevin Lawson, G Jordan Devey, DE Josh Mauro, QB Mike Glennon, QB Landry Jones, RB Isaiah Crowell, S Curtis Riley, TE Luke Willson, WR Ryan Grant, DE Benson Mayowa, G Richie Incognito, LB Will Compton, DE Dion Jordan, TE Eric Tomlinson, DT Corey Liuget, WR J.J. Nelson, S D.J. Swearinger.
Departures: TE Jared Cook, DE Kony Ealy, WR Martavis Bryant, S Marcus Gilchrist, G, Chaz Green, CB Leon Hall, WR Brandon LaFell, RB Marshawn Lynch, RB Doug Martin, CB Rashaan Melvin, S Reggie Nelson, DE Frostee Rucker, CB Daryl Worley, A.J. McCarron (cut).
2020
Record: 8-8, second place
Arrivals: LB Cory Littleton, LB Nick Kwiatkoski, DE Carl Nassib, QB Marcus Mariota, DT Maliek Collins, TE Jason Witten, T Sam Young, WR Nelson Agholor, RB Devontae Booker, DE Chris Smith, DE Takk McKinley, DE Vic Beasley, RB Theo Riddick, DE Datone Jones, DT Daniel Ross
Departures: S Karl Joseph, RB DeAndre Washington, KR Dwayne Harris, Dion Jordan, DE Josh Mauro, DE Benson Mayowa, S Curtis Riley, RB Rod Smith, TE Eric Tomlinson, CB Daryl Worley