Oakland Raiders no longer same old losing franchise

Dec 28, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Oakland Raiders free safety Charles Woodson (24) at the line of scrimmage in the second quarter against the Denver Broncos in the second quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Safeties

Charles Woodson finished 2012 as a Top-100 player at strong safety for the Green Bay Packers. Then he came back home to the Raider Nation, was moved to free safety and didn’t do quite as well there. Woodson is actually at his best around the line of scrimmage, covering tight ends, tackling and blitzing.

But the Raiders had Tyvon Branch there already until he went down for the season last year. Woodson was then moved back to strong safety and again became a Top-100 player for the Raiders. Branch has since moved on to the Kansas City Chiefs while the Raiders now have a Top-100 player at strong safety.

The Raiders would then need to upgrade over Brandian Ross among others at free safety and they did. Many don’t realize just how good Nate Allen is because he’s been at strong safety, getting touched up in man coverage. But with the Raiders now, the 2010 second-round pick will get to roam the back-end of the secondary at free safety, what he does best.

Next: Center