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The Raiders have acquired 24-year old center Samson Satele from the Dolphins for a 6th round pick in next April’s NFL Draft. The Raiders will also swap picks in another round with the Dolphins. Satele is 6’3″, 300 pounds and he’s been a starter in the NFL since Day #1. He has started all 32 games in his 2-year NFL career with the Dolphins. This was another good move for the Raiders who are attempting to build a offensive line.
The Oakland Raiders’ first round pick (RB) Darren McFadden has the speed to go the distance on any carry or reception and he should be the starting running back soon for them. He played in 13 games (5 starts) for the Raiders last season and he carried the ball 113 times for 499 yards (4.4 ypc) with 4 TD runs. He also caught 29 passes for 285 yards (9.8 avg) and made 5 tackles. The sky is the limit for McFadden as long as he can stay healthy. CB Tyvon Branch was one of the 4th round picks of the Raiders last April and he has some potential. He played in 8 games (0 starts) for the Raiders last season and he made 10 tackles, defensed 1 pass and had a interception. Branch also returned 6 kickoffs for 89 yards (14.8 avg) last season. Fellow 4th round pick (WR) Arman Shields missed his rookie season due to a knee injury that caused him be placed on Injured Reserve. In the 6th round the Raiders found DE Trevor Scott. Scott played in all 16 games (0 starts) for the Raiders and he made 24 tackles, had 5 sacks and forced a fumble. He might be a starter for the Raiders down the road. WR Chaz Schilens also was a find for the Raiders in the 7th round. He played in all 16 games (6 starts) for the Raiders last season and he caught 15 passes for 226 yards (15.1 avg) with 2 TD grabs.
GRADE FOR THE 2008 SEASON: C+
GRADE FOR THE FUTURE: B+
The Raiders have signed 29-year old cornerback Chris Horton. Horton has not played since 2005 with the Green Bay Packers. He has played in 23 games in his NFL career and he has made 27 tackles. It will be very surprising if Horton makes the Raiders in 2009.
The Oakland Raiders have signed 26-year old offensive tackle Khalif Barnes to a 1-year deal. Barnes is a big man at 6’5″, 325 pounds and he should be able to offer JaMarcus Russell with improved pass protection in 2009. Barnes played in 16 games (all starts) for the Jaguars last season. He has now played in 60 games (57 starts) in his 4-year NFL career. This was a solid move for the Raiders who definately needed some offensive line help.
The Raiders have signed 26-year old OT Erik Pears. Pears is a big guy at 6’8″, 305 pounds but he didn’t play a down last season. Pears has played in 32 games (26 starts) in his 4-year NFL career so the Raiders felt he was worth taking a flyer on.