Raiders to Sign Bruce Irvin

(photo credit: fansided.com)

Most people knew that Bruce Irvin would not return to Seattle but many didn’t expect where he would land. The Oakland Raiders continue to make their presence felt in free agency as they swooped up Irvin from teams like the Atlanta Falcons, Arizona Cardinals and the Jacksonville Jaguars. 

The financial terms of the contract will be released when the new league year begins on Wednesday. Irvin is a consensus top five free agent on defense and he was part of the Seattle Seahawks “Legion Of Boom” defense in 2013. Irvin had 38 tackles and 5.5 sacks last season. Seattle drafted Irvin with the 15th pick in the 2012 NFL draft. Irvin will be reuniting with former Seattle linebacker Malcolm Smith and former Seattle position coach, Ken Norton Jr. who is now the defensive coordinator. 

Irvin played a versatile role in Pete Carroll’s defense, he lined up at strong side linebacker in the base defense and he moved to defensive end in the Seahawks' sub packages. Irvin (6-foot-3, 260 pounds) has 22 sacks in his four-year career (58 games, 37 starts). Irvin, who is a special athlete, has scheme versatility with an ability to play linebacker or defensive end.

The Raiders are among the teams that were well under the salary cap and they are using every single penny. Along with Irvin, the Raiders also inked a deal with offensive lineman Kelechi Osemele. The Raiders might have the most dangerous defensive line in the league. Kahlil Mack a Pro-Bowler, Irvin, and Aldon Smith. This line is certain to wreak havoc on any team it faces.

The Raiders are not done spending as they would still like to address the running back position. With players such as Irvin and Smith in the linebacker corps and a promising defensive line featuring Khalil Mack, Mario Edwards Jr. and Dan Williams, Oakland's front seven is shaping up to be a strength in 2016.