The Las Vegas Raiders are set to bring back center Andre James, who would have been eligible for free agency…
The Las Vegas Raiders are retaining a key member of their offensive line.
According to a report from NFL insider Ian Rapoport, the Raiders plan to sign center Andre James to a three-year deal. James would have been a free agent this offseason.
Rapoport says James’ contract will be worth $24 million, with $16 million guaranteed. The center’s last deal was worth $8.65 million over two years.
James started 16 games for the Raiders last season, missing one game due to an ankle injury. He allowed four sacks and was penalized only three times.
The season before, he played and started in 15 games, his second year as a full-time starter after starting every game in the 2021 season when the Raiders made the postseason.
The season before, he played and started in 15 games, his second year as a full-time starter after starting every game in the 2021 season when the Raiders made the postseason.
The Raiders signed James as an undrafted free agent out of UCLA in 2019. He played 12 games in his rookie seaaon, making one start. The following season, James played all 16 games for the Silver and Black.
Pro Football Focus gave James an overall grade of 74.6 for the 2023 season, which ranked him ninth among centers (minimum number of snaps required). He was given a run-blocking grade of 75.0 and a pass-blocking grade of 71.2.
Re-signing James is crucial for the Raiders, as they would have had to look to a new starter to fill a gap that James had filled for the last three seasons.
James’ presence on the offensive line is vital for a team looking to establish consistency up front. It will also allow for the Raiders to focus less on moving players like Dylan Parham to their non-primary positions, and helping sustain the consistency they are looking for.
