Oakland Raiders 2014 Free Agency Signings

Reggie McKenzie and Dennis Allen Era is now capable of recruiting and grooming players that they actually like for this Oakland Raiders Roster. Not having a much needed salary cap space and draft picks in their first two seasons leading the Raiders put them on their current hot seat all throughout this next season. With the fifth overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, and a bunch of salary cap space to spend for the free agency market, Let's take a look on some of their signings and current additions through trade that can affect their 2014 NFL Draft Big Board.
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OFFENSE

At the time when the Free Agent Market opens up, the communication that Reggie McKenzie had towards his best offensive lineman Jared Veldheer gone so fast when Veldheer was force to commit to his highest bidder in the market in Arizona Cardinals. McKenzie was sold to Rodger Saffold to fill Jared Veldheer's shoes in Left Tackle spot but eventually failed to past his physical after signing his contract with the Raiders. From there on, McKenzie's moves became more savvy by signing proven veterans that he knew based on their productions in the past, won't make McKenzie felt any buyer's remorse. These are the Oakland Raiders' offensive players additions on the first wave of free agency:

Darren McFadden
Khalif Barnes
Kory Sheets
Austin Howard
James Jones
Kevin Boothe
Donald Penn
Jamize Olawale
Maurice Jones-Drew
Jeremy Stewart

Through trade: Matt Schaub

Darren McFadden was signed for one-year 4 Million Dollar contract to prove that he can be a feature back and be the focal point of this offense. With him in the backfield, Maurice Jones-Drew, Kory Sheets, and Jeremy Stewart, will try to push him and compete for a starting job this next season. Signing back Jamize Olawale to backup Marcel Reece was a good move too.

Matt Schaub's arrival to Raiders mark as another outside quarterback brought in to be the starting quarterback just like Matt Flynn's case last season. Schaub's production and leadership won't be comparable to Flynn's but bringing a quarterback to know a system right away won't yield much production starting his first year in a new system. Drafting a quarterback in this upcoming draft will make sense as to why McKenzie brought a veteran quarterback to mentor young quarterbacks of the future in this roster.

Offensive line depth was addressed this offseason with the signing of Khalif Barnes, Austin Howard, Kevin Boothe, and Donald Penn. Penn, Boothe, and Howard was brought in to start and an indication of that is the release of Mike Brisiel. Raiders OC Greg Olson wants to bring guys that fits to his power blocking scheme. Mike Brisiel was a fit for a zone blocking scheme that was used by Dennis Allen in his first year as a Head Coach.
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DEFENSE

Lamarr Houston was in the same case with Jared Veldheer, not franchise-tagged and not having a kind of contract that he wants from Reggie McKenzie this offseason. As a result, Houston signed with Chicago Bears and be part of a line that was anchored by Jared Allen to form a formidable pass rush for the Bears. Tracy Porter's performance should be compensated but Reggie chose to sign another nickel cornerback in Carlos Rogers. Improving the pass rush was the priority of the Raiders this season and having players that have proven track records in pressuring the quarterbacks make sense to Dennis Allen and Jason Tarver multiple-faceted 4-3 base scheme. These are the Oakland Raiders' defensive player additions on the first wave of free agency:

Justin Tuck
LaMarr Woodley
Tarell Brown
Antonio Smith
Usama Young
Charles Woodson
C.J. Wilson
Pat Sims
Carlos Rogers

Forming a defensive line that is capable of rushing the quarterback in every position it has, makes the defense look good. Having Tuck and Woodley in rotational roles as pass rushing defensive ends will bring more production than playing them in every snap of defense. Antonio Smith will fill Vance Walker's shoes and the resigning of Pat Sims gives Raiders a run-stopper on running downs. C.J. Wilson was brought in to be a rotational run stopper to give all the defensive lineman a breathing room throughout the season.

Charles Woodson and Usama Young were signed in after their one year deals manning the free safety spot. Drafting a free safety in this year's draft will benefit the Raiders' rookie for seating behind two veterans and learn from a future hall of famer like Woodson. Carlos Rogers and Tarell Brown were from the bay area rival San Francisco 49ers' secondary and having veterans with experience of Super Bowl will give another edge to this Raiders Secondary.
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SPECIAL TEAMS

Giving three year extension to Gunner Taiwan Jones indicates that the Raiders are committed to Special Teams improvement this offseason. Having Sebastian Janikowski, Marquette King, and Jon Condo manning the Special Teams, the chemistry that they will have in their year two of being together will make them more effective in the kicking game. Giving a competition even in Special Teams will bring fruit to any team, having sign another punter will make Marquette King on watch in his roster spot. This is the only Special Teams addition as of now for the Oakland Raiders:

Daniel Zychlinski

This is not the last signing for the special teamers for this offseason as McKenzie and Allen will also give competition to Janikowski and Condo during their training camp.

So that's it, what is your favorite Oakland Raiders signing this offseason? Write down your thoughts on the comment section below.