Undrafted free agency begins with Raiders busy signing prospects

Originally published on Silver & Black Report on May 11, 2014
The end of the draft marks the beginning of free agency for all of the draft hopefuls that indeed went undrafted and the Raiders didn’t hesitate in trying to sign those at the top of their board.

Reggie McKenzie has show great ability in finding value in his undrafted free agent signing (see Rod Streater).

Teams waste little time, with the Raiders already reportedly signing tight end Scott Simonson and kick returner George Atkinson III.

Atkinson, the son of Raiders legendary cornerback George Atkinson, is an explosive kick returner that may fit right in with the departure of the oft-injured Jacoby Ford in free agency. Atkinson, a running back at Notre Dame started last season as the primary back but fell out of favor of the coaching staff but finished with 93 carries, 555 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns.

Simonson gives the Raiders another prospect at the tight end position, a spot on the roster they have been missing a playmaker for quite some time now. Though Mychal Rivera and David Ausberry appear to be solid prospects, it certainly won’t hurt for McKenzie to continue bringing in prospects until he finds one he’s enamored with.

The full listed of reported undrafted free agent signings are listed below:

Karl Williams, FB, Utah http://www.blocku.com/2014/5/9/57012…-draft-profile

George Atkinson III, RB, Notre Dame http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/p…e-atkinson-iii

Carlos Fields, Jr. OLB, Winston-Salem http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/p…rlos-fields-jr

Mike Davis, WR, Texas http://www.nfl.com/draft/2014/profil…vis?id=2543757

DJ Coles, WR, Virginia Tech http://www.nfl.com/draft/2014/profil…les?id=2550001

Danny Kistler, G/T, Montana http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings…2014&genpos=OG

Jake Murphy http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/p…52/jake-murphy

Scott Simonson, TE, Assumption http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings…2014&genpos=TE

Noel Grisby, WR, San Jose State, http://nfldraftdiamonds.com/draft-di…te-university/

Erie Ladson, OT, Delaware http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings…2014&genpos=OT

Austin Flynn, DE, Arkansas http://mocknfldraft.com/Austin%20Flynn.cfm

Darius Millines, WR, Coloroda State-Pueblo http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings…2014&genpos=WR

Joe Southwick, QB, Boise State http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings…2014&genpos=QB

Curtis Porter, DT, Miami http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings…2014&genpos=DT

Rob Henry, SS, Purdue http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings…2014&genpos=SS

These signings have not been confirmed by the Raiders yet.