The Raiders have added plenty of talent in free agency and the draft, including wide receiver Amari Cooper, the team’s No. 1 pick, veteran defensive tackle Dan Williams and middle linebacker Curtis Lofton.
But it’s possible that center Rodney Hudson could prove to be as significant as any addition this entire offseason.
Hudson, who signed with the Raiders after four seasons in Kansas City, will join his teammates Tuesday for the start of full-team mandatory minicamp.
Recently, he was selected by NFL.com analyst Elliot Harrison as the center on his All-Underrated Team.
Wrote Harrison: “When Hudson received approximately $8 billion per year (OK, so it was only $8.9 million per year) from the Raiders this offseason, some were left wondering how someone they’d never heard of before could make that kind of money. Hudson was solid in the run game and screen game in Kansas City last season; now he’ll surely hope to make a name for himself for reasons beyond his salary.”
The Raiders had their troubles running the ball in 2014 and new head coach Jack Del Rio and general manager Reggie McKenzie believe the insertion of Hudson at center can go a long way to improving the run game.
Already, Hudson’s teammates are looking to him as a standout player and leader, after offseason workouts that included the recently concluded organized team activities (OTAs). The center is the quarterback of the offensive line, calling out assignments and protections, and Hudson has taken charge already.
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“Rodney is very athletic,” Oakland left tackle Donald Penn said on a SiriusXM Radio interview recently. “He’s very good in space. He’s very smart, too. He’s putting us in the right spots, making sure the protections are correct. He’s a great addition to this offense and I think he’s going to make us very, very good. I think we’re going to be a good offensive line because of Rodney Hudson.”
