It’s been apparent for a while that the Raiders were interested in letting center Stefen Wisniewski walk and finding a different option at the position.
So, news that the Raiders and former Chiefs center Rodney Hudson have come to an agreement on a five-year, $44.5 million deal isn’t a surprise.
But how much better is Hudson than Wisniewski?
First off, Hudson is a bit smaller, at 6-foot-2 and 299 pounds, compared with Wisniewski at 6-foot-3 and 315 pounds. Both are 25.
But Hudson is coming off his best season as a pro, and he appears to be more athletic and have a higher upside for a team that wants to improve its running game while also protecting young quarterback Derek Carr. Hudson allowed just two hits on quarterback Alex Smith in 540 drop backs this past season.
Hudson, in analytics produced by Pro Football Focus, ranked as the No. 3 center in the NFL in 2014. The previous season, he ranked 17th.
“He’s improved a lot,” said Chiefs Pro Bowl defensive lineman Dontari Poe, who has gone against him in practice every day. “Rodney always has been good since I got here, but he works hard. Every day he comes out I know when I’m going against him I got to get my mind right. I love competing against him.”
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Hudson had been an All-America guard at Florida State when the Chiefs made him a second-round draft choice in 2011. He’s been a starter at center since 2012 and has improved since. Over the past two seasons he’s been durable, playing more than 1,000 snaps each season.
In addition, Hudson might be a perfect fit for a faster-paced offense under new coordinator Bill Musgrave, who has said the Raiders likely will run more no-huddle and could incorporate some of the quick-paced scheme of the Philadelphia Eagles, for whom Musgrave coached in 2014.
In Kansas City, Hudson often made key blocks while pulling out in space in front of screens or on short swing passes. He also was a leader on the Kansas City offensive line.
“Rodney just gives you complete confidence that everything is taken care of in there,” Kansas City head coach Andy Reid told a reporter this past season. “Not only is he telling guys when they need to pick up the pace, but he’s also coaching them up about any transition that takes place with the defense. When you’ve got to abort what you’ve got (called) and relocate the strength of the defense, he can handle all of that stuff and he’s doing it in seconds.”
Hudson won’t officially sign until Tuesday afternoon, when the free-agent signing period begins.
