Raiders add veteran depth for deep run

What a difference a week makes. It seems like this time last week nobody wanted to be associated with the Las Vegas Raiders and this week after an impressive win and its current seeding in the playoff race. The Raiders are a great destination for free agent veterans looking to make an impact.

The Raiders added two former first round picks to their roster: cornerback Desmond Trufant and tackle/guard DJ Fluker. Trufant will play immediately. Trufant, a former number 22 overall pick for the Falcons, was a pro bowl player just a couple years ago. He has 14 interceptions in 103 starts. Trufant is a significant fit in Raiders secondary that has been ravaged with injury. Gus Bradley runs a cover 3 scheme while Trufant has never played for Bradley. Trufant played for Dan Quinn who replaced Bradley in Seattle and runs a very similar defense.

In order to sign Trufant, the Raiders had to put Roderick Teamer on injured reserve. Raiders starting cornerback Trayvon Mullen and Damon Arnette are both on injured reserve themselves. The Raiders weren’t done with their moves adding veteran offensive lineman DJ Fluker. Fluker was added to the Raiders practice squad after serving a six game suspension.

The former Alabama star lineman was selected by the Chargers 11th overall in the 2013 NFL Draft. The 6-5, 342-pounder played his first two seasons at right tackle for the Chargers before moving to guard. He played two more seasons in San Diego before signing with the Giants and then spent two seasons in Seattle. Last season he started 8 games at right tackle for Ravens.

He gives Las Vegas experience on the right side of their line, which has been a glaring weakness for them. Rookie first round pick Alex Leatherwood has been awful leading the league in penalties and sacks given up. Raiders moved him from RT to RG to help him out a bit. Fluker would serve as a good insurance policy seeing as he has a lot in common with Leatherwood.