The Oakland Raiders are in the midst of their Offseason Training Program, and just recently concluded rookie mini-camp.
With OTAs [Organized Team Activities] less than a month away, let's take a look at how the 2017 Raiders were built.
NFL Draft (31)
Guard | Vadal Alexander | 2016 | Safety | Keith McGill | 2014 |
Linebacker | Neiron Ball | 2015 | Linebacker | Cory James | 2016 |
Defensive end | Shilique Calhoun | 2016 | Kicker | Sebastian Janikowski | 2000 |
Quarterback | Derek Carr | 2014 | Running back | Taiwan Jones | 2011 |
Cornerback | TJ Carrie | 2014 | Safety | Karl Joseph | 2016 |
Cornerback | Gareon Conley | 2017 | Defensive back | Shalom Luani | 2017 |
Quarterback | Connor Cook | 2016 | Defensive end | Khalil Mack | 2014 |
Wide receiver | Amari Cooper | 2015 | Cornerback | Dexter McDonald | 2015 |
Defensive end | Mario Edwards, Jr. | 2015 | Defensive back | Obi Melifonwu | 2017 |
Defensive tackle | Justin Ellis | 2014 | Tackle | David Sharpe | 2017 |
Offensive lineman | Jon Feliciano | 2015 | Defensive tackle | Eddie Vanderdoes | 2017 |
Linebacker | Ben Heeney | 2015 | Tight end | Clive Walford | 2015 |
Defensive tackle | Treyvon Hester | 2017 | Defensive end | Jihad Ward | 2016 |
Running back | Elijah Hood | 2017 | Tackle | Jylan Ware | 2017 |
Guard | Gabe Jackson | 2014 | Running back | DeAndre Washington | 2016 |
Linebacker | Marquel Lee | 2017 |
Time and time again the phrase, "build through the draft and supplement through free agency," has been repeated by General Manager Reggie McKenzie and Head Coach Jack Del Rio. Currently, a majority of the team's roster has been constructed through the draft process.
The longest tenured Raider on the team is kicker Sebastian Janikowski, who was drafted by the Silver and Black back in 2000. The team has added quality talent through the draft in recent memory with the additions of defensive end Khalil Mack, quarterback Derek Carr, and wide receiver Amari Cooper.
Free Agency (23)
Linebacker | Tyrell Adams | 2016 | Linebacker | Andy Mulumba | 2017 |
Defensive end | Jimmy Bean | 2016 | Safety | Reggie Nelson | 2016 |
Tight end | Jared Cook | 2017 | Offensive lineman | Marshall Newhouse | 2017 |
Long snapper | Jon Condo | 2006 | Fullback | Jamize Olawale | 2012 |
Wide receiver | Derek Carr | 2015 | Offensive lineman | Kelechi Osemele | 2016 |
Tight end | Cooper Helfet | 2016 | Wide receiver | Cordarrelle Patterson | 2017 |
Tackle | Austin Howard | 2014 | Tackle | Donald Penn | 2014 |
Center | Rodney Hudson | 2015 | Offensive tackle | Ian Silberman | 2017 |
Outside linebacker | Bruce Irvin | 2016 | Tight end | Lee Smith | 2015 |
Linebacker | Jelani Jenkins | 2017 | Cornerback | Sean Smith | 2016 |
Quarterback | EJ Manuel | 2017 | Kicker | Giorgio Tavecchio | 2015 |
When you draft quality talent, you're allowed the opportunity to lure more talented players to the team in free agency. Last season, the Raiders acquired linebacker Bruce Irvin, guard Kelechi Osemele, and veteran safety Reggie Nelson.
In their first seasons with the team, all three players made significant contributions at their position. This year, the Raiders added more offensive weapons with dangerous return man Cordarrelle Patterson and tight end Jared Cook.
Trade (1)
Running back | Marshawn Lynch | 2017 |
Possibly the biggest acquisition this offseason was the addition of running back Marshawn Lynch, who was traded to the Raiders from the Seattle Seahawks. Lynch is very familiar with the East Bay, as he's a native to the city of Oakland.
Claim Via Waivers (1)
Cornerback | David Amerson | 2015 |
After making a huge impact on the roster in his first season with the Raiders, cornerback David Amerson signed an extension with the team prior to the start of Training Camp in 2016. The team claimed Amerson via waivers in 2015 and have benefitted from the fruits of his labor ever since.
Undrafted Free Agents (37)
Defensive lineman | Denico Autry | 2014 | Punter | Marquette King | 2012 |
Cornerback | Breon Borders | 2017 | Guard | Denver Kirkland | 2016 |
Defensive tackle | Paul Boyette | 2017 | Long snapper | Anthony Kukwa | 2017 |
Wide receiver | K.J. Brent | 2016 | Defensive tackle | Darius Latham | 2016 |
Tackle | Chauncey Briggs | 2017 | Linebacker | LaTroy Lewis | 2017 |
Defensive end | Fadol Brown | 2017 | Safety | Marcus McWilson | 2017 |
Tight end | Pharoah Brown | 2017 | Wide receiver | Jaydon Mickens | 2016 |
Defensive end | Chris Casher | 2016 | Linebacker | Nicholas Morrow | 2017 |
Safety | Anthony Cioffi | 2017 | Tight end | Ryan O'Malley | 2016 |
Linebacker/defensive end | James Cowser | 2016 | Guard | Oni Omoile | 2016 |
Cornerback | Kenneth Durden | 2016 | Running back | Jalen Richard | 2016 |
Cornerback | Antonio Hamilton | 2016 | Wide receiver | Seth Roberts | 2014 |
Linebacker | Najee Harris | 2017 | Guard | Jordan Simmons | 2017 |
Wide receiver | Keon Hatcher | 2016 | Safety | Ahmad Thomas | 2017 |
Tight end | Gabe Holmes | 2015 | Defensive tackle | Jordan Wade | 2017 |
Wide receiver | Johnny Holton | 2016 | Wide receiver | Isaac Whitney | 2017 |
Cornerback | Chris Humes | 2017 | Linebacker | Xavier Woodson-Luster | 2017 |
Defensive lineman | Branden Jackson | 2016 | Wide receiver | Ishmael Zamora | 2017 |
Safety | Rickey Jefferson | 2017 |
Last season, several players from the Undrafted Free Agent pool made big impressions in their first seasons with the team. Most notably, running back Jalen Richard burst onto the scene with his explosive running-style and shifty nature out of the backfield.
At the moment, the team retains a total of 37 UDFAs, and is excited to see them compete throughout OTAs and Training Camp, which takes place in Napa, Calif.
An exclusive look at the 2017 roster.