According to ESPN, the Oakland Raiders agreed to a deal with cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie on Tuesday (August 21). The ten-year veteran was named to the Pro Bowl in both the 2009 and 2015 seasons. He has spent his NFL career with the Arizona Cardinals, Philadelphia Eagles, Denver Broncos, and New York Giants.

The 32-year-old spent the previous four seasons with the Giants. Last year, Rodgers-Cromartie started six of his 15 appearances and finished with 48 tackles and 0.5 sacks. He did not intercept a pass after picking off six in the previous year of 2016.

Depth is needed at the cornerback position for Oakland, especially since 2017 first-round pick Gareon Conley has yet to consistently step on the field. A shin injury cut his season short after just three games in his rookie year, and he just recently returned from a hip strain.

The Raiders have made a habit of signing players who have already reached their 30th birthday during the offseason (or will during the season in the case of Marcus Gilchrist). Head coach Jon Gruden, who is returning to coaching after a decade away, has stated that he knows these veterans know how to play the right way. Just missing out, is running back Doug Martin, who turns 30 on January 13, after the Raiders’ last regular season game on December 30.

Offense

  • Breno Giacomini, OT (Age: 33)
  • Jordy Nelson, WR (Age: 33)
  • Dwayne Harris, WR (Age: 31)
  • Mike Nugent, K (Age: 36)
  • Andrew DePaola, LS (Age: 31)

Giacomini is firmly in the running to start at right tackle, but he has been out with a knee injury. He has been a starting right tackle in every one of his 78 games since 2012.

Nelson has gone over 1,000 yards receiving four times in his career but is coming off a very down season by his standards.

Last year with the Green Bay Packers, he finished with just 482 receiving yards in 15 games.

Nugent is seen by many as the underdog to win the placekicking honors for Oakland behind rookie Eddy Pineiro. According to CBS Sports, Pineiro has missed three straight days of practice with a groin injury though which could help open the door for Nugent to win the job.

Defense

  • Derrick Johnson, LB (Age: 36)
  • Marcus Gilchrist, S (Age: 30)
  • Frostee Rucker, DE (Age: 35)
  • Leon Hall, CB (Age: 34)

Johnson is joining the Raiders after spending his first 13 seasons with the AFC West rival Kansas City Chiefs. A former four-time Pro Bowler, he had 71 tackles in 15 games last season.

While Gilchrist is currently 29, he will turn 30 on December 8. He is expected to be one of the Raiders’ starting safeties once the regular season begins. In 16 games (13 starts) with the Houston Texans last season, he recorded 56 tackles, one sack, and one interception.
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