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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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DENVER, CO – OCTOBER 3: Anthony Averett #23 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates after a fourth-quarter interception against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High on October 3, 2021, in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – OCTOBER 3: Anthony Averett #23 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates after a fourth-quarter interception against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High on October 3, 2021, in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /

Other Raiders Defensive FA additions

Anthony Averett, CB

  • Grade: B
  • Contract: 1y, $4.5m

Since day one, Patrick Graham has publicly expressed his desire for a minimum of four reliable cornerbacks on the roster. General manager Dave Ziegler took his words to heart, snagging a starting-caliber corner in Anthony Averett.

Last season, as the injuries piled up, Averett stepped in as a starting corner and showed he can hang with the rest of the starters. The Raiders wasted no time signing him once the signing period began, and at this price, you can see why. He won’t be a starting corner in Vegas, but he should still see a lot of playing time. This is a pickup that has a ton of upside.

Darius Phillips, DB/ST

  • Grade: B
  • Contract: 1y, $1.5m

Phillips was the first player that agreed to terms with the Raiders when free agency as a whole began. Phillips is a corner and may be called on in heavy pass defenses, but I suspect a majority of his time will be spent on special teams.

Last season, the former Bengal returned 8 kicks and 25 punts. Hunter Renfrow is the team’s punt returner, and he does a fine job, but as he gets more valuable it may be in the Raiders’ best interest to prevent him from taking so many shots. This is likely where Phillips comes in and will spend most of his time.

To sum this one up: Good depth piece, good special teams player, good contract, good grade.

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