The Raiders have agreed to terms with former Jets OT Austin Howard, per multiple reports. The deal is for 5 years and has a max value of $30 million, with half of that – $15 million – guaranteed.
Howard had made the Raiders his first place to visit, yesterday, and the team didn't let him leave the building once there.
Howard is a massive man, standing 6'7" and 335 lbs. He came into the league as an undrafted free agent, bounced around on a couple of teams and practice squads, and then settled into the starting RT spot for the New York Jets, where he's started all 32 games the last two seasons.
Per Pro Football Focus, Howard had a very good start to last year before trailing off in the second half of the year due to some shoddy run blocking.
Howard is pencilled in at RT for the Raiders, too, but he will have to compete for the spot, likely with last year's second round pick, Menelik Watson.
The Raiders have made the offensive line their focus early in free agency and Howard is the second OT the Raiders have signed on the first day of the off season. Earlier in the day, the Raiders signed OT Rodger Saffold to be their left tackle.
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