The Raiders continued their solid, if unspectacular, offseason yesterday by making two moves that will pay big dividends for the team in the next year.
Specifically, the Raiders traded for former Panthers RB Mike Goodson and signed FA LB Philip Wheeler who had visited the team earlier in the week.
Starting with Goodson, because that move happened earlier in the day, around 1pm Goodson tweeted that he had been traded to the Raiders and was going to head to Cali.
There was a lot of speculation about whether Carolina got perhaps a 5th or 6th round pick but it turned out to be a rare player for player only trade. In exchange for getting Goodson, Oakland gave up backup G/T Bruce Campbell.
If this had been a pick, it most likely wouldn’t have been worth it unless it was a future pick – this is because the Raiders have so few draft picks already this year.
But Campbell, a former 4th round selection in the 2010 draft, struggled to get onto the field and also to even dress on game days. He was frequently a healthy scratch which is a bad sign for his development. He appeared to be coming on a bit in a reserve role at the end of last season.
In Goodson, the Raiders get a backup running back that has shown he can be productive but one who also has some questions. Goodson’s biggest concerns are around fumbling which is a correctable problem if he puts in the work. Tiki Barber once had the same issues, but worked on how he held the ball and his grip and was able to take the problem and turn it into a strength.
Goodson’s most productive year was 2010 when Panthers starting RB DeAngelo Williams went on IR after week 7 with a leg injury and Jonathan Stewart and Goodson had more carries as a result.
When Stewart also was out with an injury in weeks 10, 11 and 12 that season, Goodson got his first starts and ran for 390 yards in those 3 starts alone.
Goodson was taken in the 4th round of the 2009 draft and signed a 4 year deal so this is a contract year for him.
He is just a shade under 6’0″ and was 212 lbs 3 years ago when measured at the Combine. He ran the 40 in 4.54 seconds which was good enough for 7th for the RBs that year.
It’s also worth noting that Goodson is a very good athlete. I played college BB at Pitt as well and has shown he can be a weapon in the passing game, something that was mentioned by Raiders GM McKenzie after announcing the trade.
Around 8 pm last night, the Raiders announced they had signed free agent LB Philip Wheeler as well. Terms were not disclosed.
Wheeler will likely fit into the team’s Strongside LB position or at least compete to start, there.
There is more information on Wheeler’s measureables here.
For Raiders news and analysis throughout the day, or to ask me questions or tell me what you think, follow me on Twitter @AsherMathews
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