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Raiders: Grades for the first wave of 2022 free agency

By Alexander Monfreda

LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 16: Defensive end Chandler Jones #55 of the Arizona Cardinals celebrates his block of a pass to stop a touchdown during the second quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 16, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 16: Defensive end Chandler Jones #55 of the Arizona Cardinals celebrates his block of a pass to stop a touchdown during the second quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 16, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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BUFFALO, NEW YORK – JANUARY 15: Brandon Bolden #25 of the New England Patriots walks to the field before a game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on January 15, 2022, in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Bryan M.
BUFFALO, NEW YORK – JANUARY 15: Brandon Bolden #25 of the New England Patriots walks to the field before a game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on January 15, 2022, in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Bryan M. /

Other Raiders Offensive FA additions

Brandon Bolden, RB

  • Grade: B+
  • Contract: 2y, $5m

With Jalen Richard hitting free agency, Las Vegas needed a third-down running back. Josh McDaniels wasted no time grabbing one he’s very familiar with, and Bolden didn’t hesitate to come to play for the Raiders.

McDaniels and Bolden have a long history working together, with Bolden’s most recent season being his best. The former Patriot totaled 226 yards on the ground and had 405 yards through the air to go with it.

Overall, if you need a player for a specific role, and one is available who you’re familiar with that excels in your scheme, you give them a call. McDaniels did just that, and that’s why this one gets a high grade.

Ameer Abdullah, RB

  • Grade: C
  • Contract: TBD

The exact contract of Abdullah is yet to be disclosed, so it’s hard to pinpoint an exact grade. Chances are it’s cheap, and Abdullah comes in as an experienced back who excels in the passing game.

It’s hard to say how much Abdullah will be used, as this is yet another unexpected signing by the new front office. Still, Abdullah does have merit, and I can’t imagine the value is too high, so a grade with no positive or negative undertone seems the most reasonable.

Jakob Johnson, FB

  • Grade: B
  • Contract: 1y, $1.5m 

Let me start by saying I think Johnson may just be the perfect fullback for a Josh McDaniels offense. The only reason why this grade isn’t higher is that the Raiders had to toss one of their better players who happened to be a captain just to acquire Johnson.

Other than that, there isn’t any negative here. In fact, it was shocking that Johnson was released by New England in the first place, as the Patriots informed him it was due to them running a fullback-less offense. The contract is cheap and the player is great. It’s unfortunate ’21 captain Alec Ingold had to be sacrificed for McDaniels’ favorite fullback to land here, but this is a good signing.

Alex Bars, OL

  • Grade: C+
  • Contract: 1y, $1.7m

I’m really not the biggest fan of Bars, but he does have clear merit. Coming from Chicago, the offensive lineman has played every position on the line, being able to fill in anywhere at any time. The contract is very reasonable, too. Overall, I don’t think too highly of the player, but the contract and experience everywhere on the offensive line make this a reasonable move.

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