Charles Woodson wants DeSean Jackson on Oakland Raiders
DeSean Jackson (10) returns a punt against the Minnesota Vikings in the third quarter at Mall of America Field at H.H.H. Metrodome. The Vikings win 48-30. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
The Oakland Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs aren’t the only teams interested in signing DeSean Jackson, who reportedly has nine suitors, but they look like the favorites at this point in time. Not only are the Raiders interested in Jackson, but the former Philadelphia Eagles star also reached out to the Raiders before yesterday’s release. While they could really use Sammy Watkins’s route-running and ability to move the chains in the intermediate part of the field in addition to his downfield explosion, there’s no guarantee that Watkins will be available with the fifth pick or that he will be a star in the league, even if both outcomes seem likely.
There are many people who would like to see the Raiders get aggressive and add the high-end playmaker to help Matt Schaub out in his first year with the team, and you can count veteran safety Charles Woodson as one of those people.
The Raiders free safety said to ESPN’s 95.7 The Game yesterday, via ESPN NFL Nation’s Paul Gutierrez, “Bring him in, I think he would look good in the silver and black,” Woodson said. “Of course I know the business side of it, but I’ve watched this guy and what he is, is a dynamic football player. What they’re talking [about] as far as off-the-field stuff, I have no clue about. The team would have to do their homework as far as that’s concerned.”
“But when you talk about bringing in a guy as talented as he is, and you have that opportunity, I think you take a shot at it. And I think where we are as a team, we need all the playmakers we can have, and adding that guy would definitely help take us to the next level.”
Jackson had over 1,300 yards last season and is a true No. 1 receiver in this league, so he would undoubtedly be a huge addition for a Raiders offense that could really use a playmaker like him in the passing game. Even though Denarius Moore and Rod Streater are both deep threats, Jackson is obviously on a different level and is so good that the Raiders would be unwise to pass up on him if he’s affordable. They have a ton of cap space, but I don’t think Reggie McKenzie will want to splurge on him with Watkins a real possibility in the draft.