2014 Free Agency: DE C.J. Wilson Signs With The Raiders

The Packers lose another player to GM Reggie McKenzie as DE C.J. Wilson signs a one-year contract with the Oakland Raiders.

MT @ESPN_NFLNation: Raiders add former #Packers DL C.J. Wilson http://t.co/oI9zW8YXJp
— Rob Demovsky (@RobDemovsky) March 28, 2014

In 2010, Wilson was drafted in the 7th round, but I had seen some pre-draft projections listing him with a 4th round grade, so he seemed like a steal at the time. He played some in 2010 and more in 2011, but he's been such a zero as a pass rusher that he lost playing time in 2012 and barely played at all the last few weeks of 2013. For some reason he received 19 snaps against the 49ers in the playoffs and he earned a negative 1.5 grade from Pro Football Focus for his efforts.

His primary mission was to provide run support, and he earned positive run defense grade in each of his first three seasons from Pro Football Focus. But he wasn't much of a help in 2013, as the run defense collapsed mid-season, and Wilson lost nearly all his playing time to other players, like rookie Josh Boyd. It looked like the Packers were ready to move on.

As for the Raiders, Wilson has only been signed for depth, and he gives them more options in the upcoming draft. Instead of needing to draft a backup defensive lineman, they can look for the best player available instead.