Blistering In From Sea.

[Soapy]

Justin Fields' get his top receiver with signing of veteran DeAndre Hopkins
After trading away Davante Adams to the Dallas Cowboys, the Las Vegas Raiders have been in desperate need of a top receiver and for at least one season, they'll look to find that in veteran DeAndre Hopkins who signed a one year, $15.3 million contract with the Raiders.

The ever consistent Hopkins still managed to catch 68 passes last season for 866 yards and six touchdowns for the Titans despite less than stellar quarterback play. The former All-Pro receiver hasn't had a 1,000-yard season since his 2020 campaign with the Cardinals where he caught 115 passes for 1407 yards and six touchdowns. This was the last of a string of eight seasons where Hopkins had at least 1,000 yards in six of them.

Hopkins served a six-game suspension in 2022 where he averaged 79.7 yards per game upon his return, which would have gotten him past the 1,000-yard mark. Hopkins joins a young receiver room that consists of Tory Horton, Tre Tucker and Mario Williams.

Notable NFL Transactions
OLB Ryan Connely (1yr/$750k)
WR Jaylen Waddle (4yr/$82.8m)

[Soapy]

Raiders continue to look to improve defense with signing of Michael Pierce, Rasul Douglas and Baron Browning
The Raiders aren't done improving their defense after signing Derrick Brown in the early hours of free agency as they have also signed nose tackle Michael Pierce, outside linebacker Baron Browning and cornerback Rasul Douglas.

Pierce projects to be the team's nose tackle next season, a position that was shared by Tyleik Williams, Deadrin Senat and Tommy Togiai along with Nesta Jade Silvera at various parts of the season. Pierce's deal is a one-year deal worth up to $12.5 million to be the strong hold of the interior which will now feature Williams and Brown as well.

The Raiders signed Browning to a three-year, $13.8 million deal after failing to sign Odafe Oweh who signed a two year, $10.3 million deal with the Jets. Browning figures to be one of the team's contributors at outside linebacker opposite of Maxx Crosby as they continue to look to improve that position and are still courting veteran edge rusher Matthew Judon.

In the secondary, they add Douglas on a one-year deal worth $8.5 million to be one of the team's top corners.

Notable NFL Transactions
OLB Odafe Oweh (2yr/$10.3m)

[Soapy]

Post Combine Las Vegas Raiders Mock Draft: Despite free agency signings, Raiders continue to focus on defense in the trade
Since the last mock draft, the Raiders have signed a handful of players and the NFL Combine has taken place, changing the stock of various players, including those previously mocked to the Raiders.

With new team needs and an updated prospect order list, it's time for the final-before-the-final mock draft.

Projected Draft Picks
‣ Round 1, Pick 6
OLB Jalon Walker | 6'2", 252lbs | 8th ranked OLB
Mykel Williams was previously projected here but he's gaining steam as a top three pick and Harold Perkins is likely to be a top five pick as well so that boosts Walker, who entered the offseason as a third round pick, into the first round and flies into the top ten after a great combine.

Walker had an impressive Combine and Pro Day with a 4.51 forty and 24 reps in the bench press, showcasing his amazing combination of speed and strength which also shows up on tape. The Raiders haven't signed a top end outside linebacker because one isn't available in free agency so they get one in the draft.

‣ Round 1, Pick 16 (via DAL)
CB Gentry Williams | 6'0", 176lbs | 4th ranked CB
The Raiders almost HAVE to draft a corner with one of their first round picks and given their success with drafting 'Williams', why not go with this Sooner?

In all seriousness, Williams is one of the better man-to-man corners in the draft and if you're not going to be able to select Travis Hunter or Benjamin Morris with the sixth pick, Williams might be the best available corner available in the draft given the Raiders' draft order.

He's far from a perfect or finished product so the team and fans will need to exercise patience and if they do, they could end up with a nice combo of young corners between Williams, Jeff Okudah and Jakorian Bennett.

‣ Round 2, Pick 38
HB Nick Singleton | 6'0", 224lbs | 1st ranked HB
The Raiders have addressed for the time being the need for an outside receiver with the signing of DeAndre Hopkins and with less than stellar showings in the Combine, the Raiders shouldn't reach for either Dane Key or Tetairoa McMillan who have previously been projected here.

Instead, they get one of the more productive players in college football and a Combine darling who showed the physical attributes of a potential day-one star and an upgrade over Damien Harris from last season and Miyan Williams, who projects to be the team's lead running back.

‣ Round 3, Pick 67 (via NO)
S Shilo Sanders | 6'0", 195lbs | 2nd ranked FS
There are some limitations with Sanders' athleticism but he has a good feel for the game and would bring some much needed physicality to the defense and secondary.

If he's ever going to be a starter level player, he'll need to be more disciplined with his eyes and wrap up on tackles instead of going for the big hit all the time but the tools are there for Sanders to be a really good player at the next level.

‣ Round 3, Pick 70
WR Isaiah Bond | 5'11", 187lbs | 12th ranked WR
Even with the addition of Hopkins, he's on the wrong side of 30 and they need long term solutions at the position and Bond is exactly that. He's twitchy and a dynamic playmaker as they continue to add weapons for Justin Fields and the Raiders offense.

He ran an impressive 4.36 forty at his pro day, improving from his 4.43 showing at the Combine and with a 38.3" vertical jump, he plays bigger than his listed height and has the tools to be an outside receiver despite playing a bunch in the slot at Alabama.

‣ Round 3, Pick 95 (via BAL)
LB C.J. Hicks | 6'3", 236lbs | 5th ranked ILB
Ohio State treated the Raiders well in the last draft with both Miyan Williams and Tyleik Williams turning into productive rookies so why not double once more with Styles and Hicks?

A former top 30 recruit, Hicks has the makings of a future leader of the defense and has a wide array of skills that should allow him to succeed no matter which direction the defense decides to go scheme-wise. Hicks is already wise beyond his years and has a propensity to be in the right place at the right time. Mix that awareness with his top-notch athleticism and we have a potential monster. Hicks is working on improving his overall technique and hand usage to become a more well-rounded block shedder. He could also improve his ability to lower the boom

[KimJongBaze]

ya bugging with the Isaiah Bond pick.

[Soapy]

ya bugging with the Isaiah Bond pick.

you still got PTSD i see

[Soapy]

Former all-pro defensive back Tyrann Mathieu mulling offer from Raiders, Jets
Free agent safety Tyrann Mathieu's visit with the Las Vegas Raiders have concluded and despite a reported offer from the Silver and Black, Mathieu left the Raiders' facilities following his two-day visit without an agreement with the team.

Mathieu has taken a visit with the New York Jets and is expected to decide between the two teams in the coming days.

The 33-year old is still among the NFL's top safeties and would be a welcomed addition to a Raiders secondary that is in the midst of a makeover following the departure of Nate Hobbs, Michael Davis and Marcus Epps who were three of the team's four starters at the beginning of last season.

The Raiders remain in the pursuit of edge rusher Matthew Judon who wrapped up his visit last week with the Raiders without a deal signed. It's unclear at this time who Judon's other suitors are, if any.

Notable NFL Transactions
QB Jared Goff (3yr/$39.5m)
DT Arik Armstead (1yr/$14.6m)
LB David Long Jr. (3yr/$19.8m)
G Wyatt Teller (2yr/$31m)
WR Brandin Cooks (2yr/$15.9m)
OLB Haason Reddick (3yr/$60.1m)
C David Andrews(1yr/$11.7m)
CB Mike Hilton (2yr/$10.3m)

[Soapy]

Not much movement in Mel Kiper's latest mock draft as no QB taken in top fifteen
ESPN's Mel Kiper, arguably the godfather of all draft analysts, is projecting Drew Allar to be the first quarterback taken off the board at pick number seventeen to the Minnesota Vikings, one selection after he has the Raiders selecting Ohio State cornerback Jordan Hancock.

With the Raiders sixth overall selection, Kiper still has the Raiders picking Georgia's Jalon Walker which has been a popular selection for weeks now with the only debate seeming to be whether the Patriots will select Walker at five instead of Florida State's Patrick Payton with Payton then headed to the Raiders.

While Allar has been given a top five grade by some analyst, the lack of quarterback needy teams at the top of the draft is the cause for his slide which could work in favor for the Raiders. They could trade out of number six, accumulate even more draft capital from perhaps the Miami Dolphins who remain without an answer at quarterback and are selecting at 23 and projected to select Jalen Milroe.

The Giants could also be in the market for a quarterback if they're able to trade up and land one, as are the Detroit Lions following the departure of Jared Goff in free agency.

[Soapy]

Raiders land Matthew Judon but fail to ink Tyrann Mathieu away from Jets
Two of the top remaining free agents have made their decisions with edge rusher Matthew Judon heading west to join the Las Vegas Raiders while Tyrann Mathieu is leaving his hometown Saints to sign a one-year deal with the New York Jets.

The Raiders reportedly offered Mathieu more money than the Jets but Mathieu ultimately chose to sign with the Jets team that appears to be closer to making it back to the playoffs despite not having a solid answer at the quarterback position.

Judon is coming off a 10.5 sack season for New England, his third double-digit sack total in four seasons with the Patriots since signing with them as a free agent out of Baltimore. Judon figures to be the team's best edge rusher outside of Maxx Crosby, giving the Raiders a really good defensive front with the signing of Derrick Brown and Michael Pierce earlier in free agency along with a depth signing in Baron Browning.

Notable NFL Transactions
T La'el Collins (1yr/$12.9m)
DT Fletcher Cox (1yr/$7.11m)
DE Za'Darius Smith (1yr/$12.5m)
S Justin Reid (3yr/$22.8m)
QB Trey Lance (4yr/$31.5m)
CB Desmond King II (1yr/$6.82m)
QB Jameis Winston (1yr/$5.85m)
S Micah Hyde (1yr/$8.47m)
S Jordan Poyer (1yr/$7.52m)
QB Jordan Love (3yr/$49.1m)
T David Bakhtiari (1yr/$18m)
CB Nate Hobbs (3yr/$23.1m)
S Tyrann Mathieu (1yr/$11.1m)
WR Michael Thomas (2yr/$20.1m)
LB Bobby Wagner (1yr/$9.46m)

[KimJongBaze]

Why this team continuing to sign washed bums from the Patriots

[Soapy]

Why this team continuing to sign washed bums from the Patriots

that first judon sack celly gonna hit like crack in the 80s fym