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Oakland Raiders: Ranking the team’s top 2018 offseason additions

By Russell S. Baxter

ALAMEDA, CA - JANUARY 09: Oakland Raiders new head coach Jon Gruden (L) and Raiders owner Mark Davis pose for a photograph during a news conference at Oakland Raiders headquarters on January 9, 2018 in Alameda, California. Jon Gruden has returned to the Oakland Raiders after leaving the team in 2001. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
ALAMEDA, CA - JANUARY 09: Oakland Raiders new head coach Jon Gruden (L) and Raiders owner Mark Davis pose for a photograph during a news conference at Oakland Raiders headquarters on January 9, 2018 in Alameda, California. Jon Gruden has returned to the Oakland Raiders after leaving the team in 2001. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) /
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SEATTLE, WA – OCTOBER 29: Safety Marcus Gilchrist #21 of the Houston Texans breaks up a pass against wide receiver Doug Baldwin #89 of the Seattle Seahawks during the fourth quarter of the game at CenturyLink Field on October 29, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA – OCTOBER 29: Safety Marcus Gilchrist #21 of the Houston Texans breaks up a pass against wide receiver Doug Baldwin #89 of the Seattle Seahawks during the fourth quarter of the game at CenturyLink Field on October 29, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) /

5. Marcus Gilchrist, S (from Houston Texans)

The steady problems in the secondary for the Oakland Raiders in recent seasons have been bewildering considering the effort the organization has made to rectify the issues. The club has spent a lot of money and numerous draft picks trying to shore up this area, with mixed results. This offseason, the club opted to part ways with cornerbacks David Amerson (now with the Kansas City Chiefs) and Sean Smith while T.J. Carrie signed with the Cleveland Browns.

A year ago, general manager Reggie McKenzie used his first two picks in the draft to grab secondary help in cornerback Gareon Conley and safety Obi Melifonwu, respectively. Back in 2016, it was the addition of strong safety Karl Joseph in the first round. This offseason, the team decided to bring back veteran free safety Reggie Nelson for a third season with the club. He tied for the team lead in tackles this past year.

Meanwhile, Marcus Gilchrist comes off a very productive season for the Houston Texans. He played in 16 games and made 13 starts, totaling 56 tackles, one sack and one interception, six passes defensed and a forced fumble. McKenzie also added a pair of veteran corners in Rashaan Melvin (Indianapolis Colts) and Leon Hall (San Francisco 49ers). But it’s the signing of Gilchrist that should make the Oakland defense much better in a number of aspects as he is a solid performer against both the run and pass.

Next: No. 4

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