OT Barnes signs one-year deal with Raiders

NFL Network's Michael Lombardi confirms that free agent offensive tackle Khalif Barnes has signed a one-year deal with the Oakland Raiders.

[Freddy]

I am not sure I believe a promise was made. A promise does not seem to make sense with Barnes signing for only one year. Perhaps pre-Draft gamemanship.

[RaiderFaith]

I agree....that's strange...maybe a promise he will start even if they draft an OT...but I can't see Ol'AL agreeing to that. Unless nxt year we are unloading some contracts and plan to re-sign Barnes then....that's possible.

[UK Steve]

Well, I guess Barnes is young, experienced and a proven commodity and can start straight away at Left Tackle with Henderson maybe moving to RT, so it addresses a major need at a key position.
Would a drafted O lineman taken first round at pick no.7 (signed to a huge contract) be guaranteed to give the same level or performance / skills as Barnes can straight away .. my answer is probably no and Barnes's contract will surely have an option for next year.
Its a good move for me.

Looks like either WR/DT/DE (or even LB as an outside guess) with the first pick in the draft.

[Captain Canada]

A very savvy offseason for the Raiders thus far. Raji and Mack/Unger would make me extremely happy. Perhaps a Williams free agent is yet to come? I think Cable may have reminded Al that your playmakers can't make plays without time and space. GO RAIDERS!!!

[Freddy]

UK Steve wrote:

Well, I guess Barnes is young, experienced and a proven commodity and can start straight away at Left Tackle with Henderson maybe moving to RT, so it addresses a major need at a key position.
Would a drafted O lineman taken first round at pick no.7 (signed to a huge contract) be guaranteed to give the same level or performance / skills as Barnes can straight away .. my answer is probably no and Barnes's contract will surely have an option for next year.
Its a good move for me.
Looks like either WR/DT/DE (or even LB as an outside guess) with the first pick in the draft.

It is also a good move considering Seattle traded for a DT and conceivably the top 3 OTs could be gone by #7 to St. Louis, Seattle and Cincinnati. At this point, I would add Center to your list of positions in round 1.

[TexasRaider]

Hopefully he has an option at the end of the year and if he plays well, he'll be a key player for years to come. It is kind of strange that they promised not to draft an OT with his signing. This probably means BJ Raji or Michael Crabtree, but I think we should take Alex Mack if Crabtree is not available and I'm sure we could get the other DT from Boston College in round 2. Mack being on board in round 2 would be pushing it.

[Freddy]

I agree. It seems that Center is a higher priority than DT.

[UK Steve]

Like I've said before, if a team like Oakland needs a Center that badly and can't trade down, then take him where you can.
This whole business of taking a player too high winds me up a little bit.
If he fits a massive need and you're confident in his abillity and the research you've done on the player then take him when you can if its going to improve your team.

[Freddy]

UK Steve wrote:

Like I've said before, if a team like Oakland needs a Center that badly and can't trade down, then take him where you can.
This whole business of taking a player too high winds me up a little bit.
If he fits a massive need and you're confident in his abillity and the research you've done on the player then take him when you can if its going to improve your team.

If Crabtree is not available, the Raiders will most likely do as you suggest. Like you said, the need and research is the only justification needed.

[TexasRaider]

UK Steve wrote:

Like I've said before, if a team like Oakland needs a Center that badly and can't trade down, then take him where you can.
This whole business of taking a player too high winds me up a little bit.
If he fits a massive need and you're confident in his abillity and the research you've done on the player then take him when you can if its going to improve your team.

That's the way it oughta be. You can never draft a player too high or too low. As long as he fits your needs, draft him whenever you can. A player's either gonna work out for you or he's not. Rod Martin was a 12th round pick and I think he's one of the best outside linebackers to ever play the game.

If you need to fill certain position, then draft the best player that plays that position that is on board whenever you are on the clock. A rookie is a rookie no matter where he's drafted at and he's either gonna work out or he's not.