Should Oakland Raiders Take A Run At LB Who Snubbed Them Last Year?

The Oakland Raiders once again have a need at the inside linebacker spot – could they take a run at a player who snubbed them last year?

A year ago, Oakland Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie showed significant interest in obtaining veteran linebacker Erin Henderson to help shore up the middle of the defense. Despite the flirtation, Henderson opted to return to the New York Jets instead of coming to the Bay Area.

Now, Henderson once again finds himself on the free agent market after the Jets declined his contract option, making him a free agent. New York cut ties with Henderson after a season in which he found himself on the Non-Football Injury list after just five games – making four starts.

Could it be a fortuitous turn of events for McKenzie and the Raiders?

With Malcolm Smith and in-season acquisition Perry Riley Jr. free agents – and the team seemingly not making any overt moves to sign them – the inside linebacker spot is once again, in a state of flux for the Raiders.

It’s no real secret that the middle of the Raiders defense has been – lacking – in recent seasons. And though Riley had a good showing in his limited time in Silver and Black, overall, the unit was one of the weaker links on that defense.

Henderson could possibly be that physical presence Oakland needs in the middle.

McKenzie certainly thought enough of him last year to make a serious run at him. Though his stats aren’t eye-poppingly great, in the three years he was a consistent starter in Minnesota, he put up numbers that were solid enough.

Henderson’s best year was 2013, when he made 12 starts (in 14 games), recorded 112 tackles, four sacks, three passes defensed, and two interceptions.

He was out of the league in 2014 after two arrests for a DWI, but came back in 2015 with the Jets. He did well enough with them, that New York rewarded him with a two-year deal. But with much in flux in New York at the moment – and the reason for his placement on the NFI list still somewhat unclear – the Jets decided to cut him loose.

Could this potentially be another case of McKenzie being able to turn one man’s trash into another man’s treasure? He was certainly able to strike gold with cornerback David Amerson two seasons ago, and to a somewhat lesser degree, Riley Jr. last season.

Given that McKenzie was so hot to sign Henderson last season, could he be potentially be looking to pick him up this season?

Of course, the better question probably is – should he be looking to pick him up?

The Raiders need help at inside linebacker. That isn’t the question. Curtis Lofton, Malcolm Smith, Neiron Ball, and Ben Heeney have been unable to plug the leaks in the middle. Re-signing Riley Jr. is always a possibility – he has been the most effective of the lot. But as of yet, there hasn’t been a strong indication from the team one way or the other about him.

With eight years in the league, Henderson could provide a solid veteran presence in the middle. A veteran presence who has been effective when he’s gotten consistent reps. And best of all, given his current circumstances, he’d very likely come relatively cheap.

And given McKenzie’s need to count pennies this offseason, that ticks off a major box.

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Signing Henderson to a one-year “prove it” type deal could potentially help shore up the gaping hole in the middle of that defense. Given that the Jets and Raiders were his final two teams last year, now that the Jets have let him walk, could McKenzie lure him to Oakland?

The Raiders have a big need in the middle. And Henderson suddenly has a big need for a job. It seems serendipitous and like last year’s flirtation could perhaps, lead to something a little more serious this year.