On Facebook
On Flipboard
On Twitter
The Las Vegas Raiders plan to release center Andre James when the new league year begins next week, per NFL Network reporter Tom Pelissero.
James spent the last six seasons with the Silver and Black, four of those as the team’s starting center. He was an above-average center in those years but dealt with injuries last season that lost him the starting role.
James just earned a two-year extension ahead of free agency last year, but he will be on the open market once free agency begins. The league moves quickly in a year.
In James’ place last season, Jackson Powers-Johnson stepped in as the starter and played well. The Raiders were high on him during his rookie season, and now show full belief in Powers-Johnson to take over the starting role full-time.
Powers-Johnson had some growing pains at center, moving from playing left guard before James’ injury. While he played center in college, it can be a major adjustment moving to the next level.
According to Pro Football Focus, Powers-Johnson allowed seven total pressures and a sack in six starts at the center spot. He allowed 16 pressures and a sack at the left and right guard spots.
He played 956 snaps and appeared at all three interior offensive line positions, per PFF.
Powers-Johnson was an effective run-blocker and held his own as a pass-blocker. He showed enough good on tape for the Raiders to believe he is the long-term answer at center.
Outside of tight end Brock Bowers, Powers-Johnson may have been the best draft pick the Raiders made in their 2024 NFL Draft class. If not for a preseason injury, Powers-Johnson would have started day one.
Powers-Johnson was considered a potential first-round pick in last year’s draft class. The Raiders landed him in the middle of the second round, giving them a great player at incredible value.
The Raiders still have work to do at some of their other offensive line positions, but center appears to be set.
Powers-Johnson still has a way to go before becoming a star, but releasing a player who held down a starting spot for the last three seasons indicates their belief in what he can become.
We could see a major year two jump for Powers-Johnson.
More must-reads:
- Winners, losers from Friday's NFL free agency: Cooper Kupp finds new home
- Browns insider predicts trade with Giants, stunning QB move
- The 'Last 1,000+ rushing yard season for every NFL franchise' quiz
Trending News
TODAY'S BEST
Former Steelers RB Najee Harris seemingly takes shot at Pittsburgh after arriving in Los Angeles
Las Vegas Raiders starter just made a ton of money in the offseason and he's not even a part of free agency
The Las Vegas Raiders dealt with a crazy amount of injuries last season, more than the usual you get every year. It seems like every starter went through at least one injury, and whether they ended up playing through it or not is a different story. This caused an issue. Well, you would think it was an issue, but for teams like the Raiders who weren't very good and really had no shot of making the postseason, it was a good experience, because this allowed young players to be thrown into the fire. Rookies and players who have been in the league for a few years but had little to no experience, got the experience they needed. Guys like rookie cornerbacks Decamerion Richardson and M.J. Devonshire got experience. They got burnt more than they did good, but that helped them learn and get better as the year went on. And guys like safety Isaiah Pola-Mao got to show what they were made of on a full-time basis, rather than just special teams and the occasional defensive rep. And, he showed that he belonged in the league, as a starter, so much so he was rewarded by the NFL in a big way. Raiders' Isaiah Pola-Mao earns big pay day Isaiah Pola-Mao has had a solid NFL career since going undrafted in 2022. He played college football at USC before signing with the Raiders as a free agent. As a rookie, he made the team’s roster and played in 11 games, mostly on special teams, with five tackles. He bounced between the practice squad and active roster that year but showed he could hang in the league. In 2023, Pola-Mao stepped up, playing in 16 games and getting more defensive snaps. He finished with 20 tackles, a sack, and his first NFL interception against the Miami Dolphins. His role grew again in 2024 after starter Marcus Epps got injured early in the season against the Carolina Panthers. Pola-Mao started 14 games, racking up 89 tackles, three sacks, and five passes defended. His best game came against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 16, where he had nine tackles and two forced fumbles, earning him AFC Defensive Player of the Week. The Raiders liked what they saw and re-signed him to a two-year, $8.45 million deal. But, that's not even the big pay day I'm referring to. The NFL released their Performance-Based Pay, which is exactly what it sounds like, guys who outperform what they're expected to do and get rewarded for it, and Pola-Mao ended up earning an additional $855,935 thousand. And, he deserves every bit of it.
New York Yankees Get Excellent News Out of Gerrit Cole's Elbow Surgery
The New York Yankees got devastating news this week when it was revealed that ace Gerrit Cole would miss the entire season because of an elbow injury. However, if you're looking silver linings, the Yankees got great news out of the surgery, Per Bryan Hoch of MLB.com: Gerrit Cole’s UCL surgery included internal bracing, according to the Yankees, which can reduce inflammation and speed recovery time. Generally speaking, this could mean he is closer to a 12-month recovery than if he had the procedure with the traditional method. Given when the injury occurred, there is even a slight chance that Cole could be ready for Opening Day in 2026. For example, Spencer Strider had Tommy John surgery early in the 2024 season and is set to come back by late April of this year. Lucas Giolito of the Red Sox had internal bracing done last spring training and was on track for an Opening Day return this year until he injured his hamstring. The 34-year-old Cole is one of the best pitchers of his era, having gone 153-80 over a 12-year career with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Houston Astros and Yankees. A six-time All-Star, Cole won the American League Cy Young Award in 2023 and has won two ERA titles. He dealt with elbow issues last season but returned to go 8-5 in 17 starts as the Yankees won the American League pennant. He pitched just 95 innings for the season, striking out 99. The Yankees will open up the season on March 27 at home against the Milwaukee Brewers.
New Broncos Tight End Makes ‘Random’ History on First Day With Team
New Denver Broncos tight end Evan Engram sure found a way to make "NFL history in such a random way" as NBC 9 News sports reporter Scotty Gange put it. Engram, who signed with the team on Thursday, was photographed with a No. 1 Broncos jersey that has his name on it, which Gange highlighted on Friday. As DNVR sports reporter Henry Chisholm pointed out, that hasn't happened with a tight end "in at least 51 years" of NFL history. "No tight end has worn No. 1 in the five years since the NFL changed its jersey number rules, which had stood (with a few tweaks) since 1973," Chisholm wrote on X.com on Thursday. "That means Evan Engram is the first tight end to wear No. 1 in at least 51 years." Engram, who wore No. 17 with the Jacksonville Jaguars, needed a new number since Broncos wide receiver Devaughn Vele already took that number. Previously, Engram has worn No. 88 with the New York Giants, where he began his pro career in 2017 as a first-round draft pick out of Ole Miss. While Engram's jersey decision could have an impact on the fan base with jersey sales, his on-field play could make a difference for the Broncos this fall. Engram has a career average of 78 catches for 775 yards and four touchdowns per 17-game season. "I think Evan's going to be great on the Broncos this year, but regardless of how the dude plays, he's already a legendary tight end," Gange said.
NHL insider reveals young star traded to Buffalo was 'devastated' in debut
Josh Norris had made a home in the NHL in Ottawa, and after the trade to Buffalo, he was unsurprisingly devastated by the change in circumstances, with a major insider revealing how sorry he felt for the 25-year old star. The Ottawa Senators made some big moves at the trade deadline, but none were bigger than giving up franchise mainstay Josh Norris in a deal that saw them acquire Dylan Cozens from the Buffalo Sabres. Since arriving in Ottawa, Cozens had been thriving, showing how happy he is to finally be off the struggling Sabres, but unfortunately on the other side of the coin, Norris was devastated by the move. That comment comes from Elliotte Friedman, who pointed out the obvious as he watched Norris make his debut for the Sabres, as he went from a Stanley Cup Playoffs race to a team that has the longest drought in the NHL, stretching back 14 years. In three games thus far, Norris has tallied a goal and an assist, but given the change in scenery which made Brady Tkachuk immensely emotional after spending six seasons in Ottawa, it's easy to see why he's frustrated and upset about his change in scenery. Ultimately, the Sabres are now likely to keep Norris as a key piece of their future, and with another five years left on his current deal with a $7.95 million cap hit every season. While he's got plenty of talent and could be great for Buffalo, it's hard not to feel sorry for him after all he gave to Ottawa through an injury-riddled run with the team.
Customize Your Newsletter
+
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!
PRIVACY POLICY EDITORIAL POLICY CONTACT US
ABOUT YARDBARKER TERMS OF SERVICE
Use of this website (including any and all parts and
components) constitutes your acceptance of these
Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
This site is for entertainment purposes only.
There is no gambling offered on this site.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
