The Oakland Raiders have signed free agent Aldon Smith following his release from the San Francisco 49ers earlier this offseason. Smith joins a rising defense and this comes as players like Latavius Murray, Amari Cooper, Michael Crabtree and Mychal Rivera are some of the top fantasy football starter options for quarterback Derek Carr.
The Raiders brought in Smith from across the bay after his time with the 49ers, which was marred by a number of off the field incidents and arrests. The Niners released Smith after he dealt with another DUI and he reportedly could be suspended for a number of games this season following that incident. According to Jason Cole at Bleacher Report, the Raiders are signing Smith to a one year contract and the report says Smith will sign before the first game of the season on Sunday.
Smith comes in after playing in just seven games last season and putting up 15 total tackles with two sacks. According to NFL.com, Ian Rapoport reports that the Jacksonville Jaguars, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and St. Louis Rams all had interest in Smith, but he opted to sign with the Raiders. Smith had a nine game suspension last season and he could be facing more after a hit and run and DUI arrest from earlier in the summer.
The Raiders are hoping for some major improvement on offense this season and they have some players stepping up into new roles. Amari Cooper is a new addition and he is slotting in as the number one wideout ahead of Michael Crabtree and is a breakout candidate. Latavius Murray is not a new player, but he has a new role as the number one running back with Darren McFadden gone. The team got rid of Trent Richardson and the roster also has Roy Helu and Taiwan Jones.
Murray comes in after rushing for 424 yards in 15 games last season and he is getting the chance to be the primary back this year. Murray dealt with injuries as a rookie, but he played in 15 games last season and now has the chance to be a strong fantasy football option. Cooper gives Derek Carr something he lacked last season with a true number one receiver and while he is just a rookie, Cooper has some great breakout potential.
The tight end position is also one to watch for Carr, as Mychal Rivera has the chance to be a sleeper. Rivers is an under the radar type player and he comes in after making 58 catches for 534 yards last season. Regarding Smith, Jim Trotter of SI.com reports that the NFL said that Smith is "free to play at this time." Trotter reports that the league is still reviewing the last case for Smith.
The Raiders are taking a chance and while Smith could be suspended for a number of games, there is a chance it may not be for the entire season. Smith comes in after putting up some monster numbers early in his career, including 14 sacks and 19.5 sacks in his first two seasons in San Francisco. The past two years he has combined for 10.5 sacks in 18 games and the Raiders are hoping for a low risk, high upside option with Smith, as he is only signed to a one year deal.