Raiders Sign CB Sean Smith

(photo credit: arrowheadpride.com)

The Oakland Raiders have reached another deal with a major free agent as they continue to revamp their roster. Oakland announced that they have signed cornerback Sean Smith to a four-year $40 million contract with $20 million in guaranteed money. Smith has played his last three seasons in Kansas City after starting his career in Miami.

Smith was drafted by the Dolphins in the second round of the 2009 draft, he would end up spending four seasons in South Florida.  In 100 career starts, Smith has 350 tackles, 10 interceptions and 80 passes defensed. Last season, Smith had 45 tackles and two interceptions. He added 10 tackles and one interception in the postseason. Smith is very durable, he’s only missed seven games during his career and three of those were part of a suspension last season.

Raiders coach Jack Del Rio and general manager Reggie McKenzie generally keep their plans close to the vest, but even they made no secret of their need to upgrade. "Our secondary is going to be attacked this offseason with talent," Del Rio said last month at the NFL Scouting Combine. "Guys that are there are going to have to compete. We're going to be a more physical secondary next year. We're going to tackle better. We're going to play better and be a better defense. That has to happen."

The Raiders were desperate to upgrade the secondary especially the cornerbacks. The Raiders gave up an average of 268 passing yards per game which was 26th best in the NFL. D.J Hayden was highly ineffective last season while David Amerson was underrated after being picked up from the Washington Redskins. The Raiders also signed former Seattle Seahawks linebacker Bruce Irvin and former Baltimore Ravens offensive lineman Kelechi Osemele to deals on Tuesday.

The Raiders were 7-9 last season and with these additions, they could challenge the Denver Broncos in the AFC West.