Oakland Raiders Free Agency Spree — Will it Actually Work this Time Around?

Remember Super Bowl XXXVII? If you don’t, no one would blame you. It’s been more than 13 years. At the same time, that’s the last postseason game that the Oakland Raiders have participated in.

Will 2016 finally be the year, finally?

The Raiders have added three big names in free agency, something that hasn’t exactly worked out well for them in recent years. Even when there is excitement surrounding the arrivals of players like receiver James Jones, defensive end Justin Tuck, running back Maurice Jones-Drew, or even old friend and future Hall of Fame defensive back Charles Woodson, it hasn’t translated into winning for the Silver and Black.

So what makes this year different? Young quarterback Derek Carr appears poised for a breakthrough season, having displayed flashes of greatness in an overachieving 2015 season in which Oakland went 7-9. It also doesn’t hurt that this may be the best quality group of newcomers the Raiders have had since they were last relevant.

Keeping Carr upright is a major priority. After all, that was the downfall of his brother, David, who spent more time on his back than his feet during his underwhelming NFL career. Enter lineman Kelechi Osemele, a run-blocking force who could end up being asked to protect Carr’s blind side. The Baltimore Ravens made an offer to resign Osemele, but he decided to head west.

Linebacker Bruce Irvin has been one of the underrated defensive stars in the league, tallying 22 sacks in four seasons with the Seattle Seahawks. He will take some of the heat off budding superstar Khalil Mack, who looked downright unstoppable at times last year.

With Woodson headed for retirement, the secondary needed reinforcements, and it got a major one in cornerback Sean Smith. Not only do the Raiders improve drastically with Smith, brought in on a four-year pact, they also pry away a key player from their division rivals, the Kansas City Chiefs.

What likely makes this class different is the fact that the team finally has a core in place that is ready to ascend. With the Denver Broncos suddenly in a transitional phase, perhaps this is the boost the Raiders need to finally break their 13-year playoff dry spell. If nothing else, it will end up being a better haul than in years past.