Why the Raiders Must Re-Sign Center Andre James

The Las Vegas Raiders have many decisions to make regarding free agents, including center Andre James.

Yet again, the Las Vegas Raiders finished another NFL season producing a top-10 offensive line. 

Raiders new General Manager Tom Telesco and Coach Antonio Pierce have many decisions to make around many free agents, including starting center Andre James.

There is no doubt that James finished the 2023-24 NFL regular season at a career-best. During the the 2023-24 NFL regular season, he played 963 snaps, committing only three penalties and allowing but four sacks. 

James' total snaps played listed him as the 20th best at his position in the NFL, while his penalties tied him for the 27th, and his sacks allowed tied him for the eighth-best.

James finished the 2023-24 NFL regular season with a Pro Football Focus grade of 74.6. He also finished with a pass-blocking grade of 71.2 and a run-blocking grade of 75.0.

At the end of the 2022-23 NFL regular season, James had a Pro Football Focus grade of 62.8. He also finished with a pass-blocking grade of 64.5 and a run-blocking grade of 59.3.

Las Vegas Raiders and why the team should resign center Andre James this offseason / © Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

In a recent Pro Football Focus article, the website listed one free agent that each NFL team can't afford to lose this NFL offseason and James was listed as that player for the Raiders.

Pro Football Focus highlights and acknowledges James's career best as a pass protector and run blocker during the 2023-24 NFL regular season. He finished with a PFF grade of 70.0 in both categories, with skillful blocks on zone and gap rushes.

The former undrafted free agent out of UCLA will be 27 years old once he signs his second veteran contract.

With stats showing improvement for James, it will be very interesting to see who will be the starting center for the Silver and Black next NFL season.

Here is the full list of Pro Football Focus's one free agent each NFL team can't afford to lose.

From February 27 to March 4, 2024, the NFL Scouting Combine will be held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind.

The NFL Draft will be held in Detroit, Mich., on April 25-27, 2024. The Las Vegas Raiders currently hold the No. 13 overall pick.

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