Oakland Raiders: Grading Out the Free Agent Class So Far
By Kevin Saito
Dec 8, 2013; Phoenix, AZ, USA; St. Louis Rams running back Zac Stacy (30) scores a touchdown in the fourth quarter under pressure from Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Dan Williams at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Rams 30-10. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
The Raiders hopped off of the Terrance Knighton bandwagon pretty quickly. Hearing the sort of money he was looking for, it’s not all that surprising. Which sort of makes the fact that all Knighton could muster up on the open market was a one year, $4 million dollar deal with Washington.
Williams’ name surfaced as a possibility very late in the game. Nobody had him on Oakland’s radar. But after doing their due diligence with Knighton, McKenzie was quick to get Williams in for a meeting, and even quicker to give him a contract.
Pairing Williams alongside Justin Ellis, is going to give the Raiders a very stout, run stuffing, pocket pushing presence in the middle. His deal has been reported to be about $6 million dollars annually, with $15 million in guaranteed money.
Given the fact that Knighton was reportedly looking to get paid in the $8-$9 million dollar a season range, Williams comes at a bargain. What makes it even better for Raiders’ fans is that Pro Football Focus grades Williams as a better DT than Pot Roast.
Williams wants to be in Oakland, believes in the direction the organization is moving, and is exactly the type of player Jack Del Rio wants on his roster.
GRADE: A
Next: Lee Smith