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Oakland Raiders top 6 acquisitions during 2018 offseason

By Brad Weiss

OAKLAND - DECEMBER 19: A view of an Oakland Raiders helmet at the game against the Tennessee Titans on December 19, 2004 at Network Associates Colesium in Oakland, California. (Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images)
OAKLAND - DECEMBER 19: A view of an Oakland Raiders helmet at the game against the Tennessee Titans on December 19, 2004 at Network Associates Colesium in Oakland, California. (Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images) /
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FOXBORO, MA – SEPTEMBER 07: Derrick Johnson #56 of the Kansas City Chiefs tackles James White #28 of the New England Patriots during the first quarter of their game at Gillette Stadium on September 7, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBORO, MA – SEPTEMBER 07: Derrick Johnson #56 of the Kansas City Chiefs tackles James White #28 of the New England Patriots during the first quarter of their game at Gillette Stadium on September 7, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

4. Signing former Kansas City Chiefs MLB Derrick Johnson

A lot of the talk heading into the offseason was that the Raiders needed to add some talent to the middle of their defense. In particular, they needed to do something at middle linebacker, whether that was re-signing NaVorro Bowman, or looking elsewhere.

Bowman was a great addition to the defense during the 2017 season, coming over from Bay Area rival San Francisco. However, with the team strapped for cash this offseason, it appears the two sides could not come up with a contract they could both agree on.

With Bowman still unsigned, the team went out and scheduled a visit with former Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson. Johnson left the facility without a deal, and many believed the meeting was just a ploy to get Bowman back under contract.

However, Johnson ended up signing on the dotted line, and has looked pretty good during his short time with the Raiders. He and Jon Gruden have a good respect for each other, and he has recently stated that he feels as good as he has in a very long time.

Johnson is not only an elite tackler, but someone who can be a leader of this defense. The team drafted Azeem Victor as a possible future star in the middle, but for at least one season, that job is going to go to the veteran Johnson.

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