The Oakland Raiders have worked on improving and shoring up their offensive line this offseason and they took another step on Tuesday, bringing in free agent tackle Alex Barron to compete at the tackle position.
According to ESPN.com, the Raiders signed the 30-year-old free agent tackle to a contract despite him being out of football last year. Barron was a former first round pick in 2005 for the Rams and after starting 75 games for the team he was injured in 2011 and wasn't able to make it on a roster last year. Barron has ideal size at 6-foot-7 and 315-pounds, but he never was able to keep things consistent before being hurt.
Barron is the first player besides Khalif Barnes to sign that is on the offensive side of the ball, as the Raiders signed linebackers Nick Roach and Kevin Burnett, among a number of other players. General manager Reggie McKenzie signed Barnes as the first unrestricted free agent to re-sign with the team and is the main option for the Raiders as right tackle.
Barron could push Barnes at the tackle spot unless the team decides to slide him over to another position. Barnes has missed some time over the past year, as a groin injury forced him to miss seven games, although he started 25 games for the team over the past two seasons. Barnes was a second round draft pick in 2005 by the Jaguars and came to Oakland in 2009.
Barnes started 30 game since coming over to the team four seasons ago and the Raiders need to bring as much stability as they can into next season, as their financial cap space is tough and they are rebuilding after going 4-12 last year. Oakland is currently working with quarterback Carson Palmer to restructure his contract, as he is due $13 million next season and counts $15 million towards the salary camp.
According to Adam Schefter at ESPN, Palmer is "highly unlikely" to change up his deal, meaning that the Raiders may trade him or release him instead. The Arizona Cardinals could be a landing place for Palmer, as could the Buffalo Bills or Cleveland Browns.
The Raiders have been meeting with cornerbacks as well, including Mike Jenkins and Tracy Porter, who is being pursued by the New Orleans Saints. The team cut a number of veteran players earlier in the month, including safety Michael Huff and wideout Darrius Heyward-Bey.
