This move won’t get a lot of hype, but any time you can pick up a starting caliber player in mid June for cheap (and I’m assuming cheap, because of the time of year, but I could be wrong, the specifics of the deal have not been announced yet) it’s a great move. The Raiders seem to be stockpiling players for a 3-4 defense.

Kamerion Wimbley, who they traded for in the offseason is a natural 3-4 outside linebacker. Trevor Scott, their leader in sacks last year with 7, seems like a better fit as a 3-4 outside linebacker than a 4-3 end. Richard Seymour, who they acquired at the beginning of last season, spent almost all of his career in New England as a 3-4 end. Tommy Kelly fits the 3-4 as an end as well. Their first round pick, Rolando McClain, played in the 3-4 at Alabama and seems like a player who would fit a 3-4 way better than a 4-3. Their second round pick, LaMarr Houston, can play the 3-4 end. And now John Henderson.

Henderson played his career in Jacksonville in primarily a base 4-3, but at 6-7 335, he is a prototypical 3-4 nose tackle. He was released by the Jaguars because of his salary and because, after they drafted Tyson Alualu in the first round, they no longer had need for him, but he can still play. He had 3 sacks last year (which actually led the team believe it or not, just to show you how bad Jacksonville’s pass rush was last year) while remaining very stout against the run. He’s only 31 so he’s not over the hill completely yet, and it was only a one year deal.

With all of those players I mentioned before fitting into a 3-4 system nicely, and the fact that I believe the Raiders likely are going to utilize those players in the best way possible and switch to a base 3-4, the Raiders’ defense looks like a top 12 or top 15 defense in the league next year. There are still a few questions about Jason Campbell’s leadership ability and maturity at the quarterback position, but he’s certainly a huge upgrade over what they had at the position last year. Their receiving corps show some decent young promise, their line might not be completely atrocious this year. I’m not going to go out and say this team will win 8+ games next year, but they could and I certainly would be very surprised if they had their 8^th straight 11 loss season this year.

This team is definitely in the right direction and could (gasp) make the playoffs in the near future, given how many free agents the Chargers have next off season. I realize this is more of a rant about how the Raiders have had an overall good offseason than about just the Henderson signing, but I do like the signing, assuming it means they move to a 3-4, because they got a solid starter in mid June on the cheap. Even if they stay with a 4-3, it’s still a solid move value wise.

Grade: A