ESPN NFL

Posted by ESPN.com’s Bill Williamson

One of the major risks for Oakland trading a 2011 first-round pick to New England for defensive lineman Richard Seymour on Sunday is the fact that Seymour is a free agent after this season.

It would be embarrassing and it would set the franchise back if Seymour were to leave after 16 games in Oakland at the steep price of a first-round pick.

But the more I think about it, I fully expect the Raiders to try to convince Seymour to stay by offering him a rich contract. I wouldn’t be surprised if contract extension talks with Seymour have already commenced.

Let’s face it: The Raiders don’t mind giving up big dollars.

Cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha and punter Shane Lechler were both given record contracts this year to stay out of free agency. Last year, as part of a trade with Atlanta, Oakland gave a ridiculous $72 million deal to cornerback DeAngelo Hall. He lasted eight games in Oakland.

Seymour is a better player than Hall, but he is 29 and he has a history of injuries. He doesn’t have a whole lot of quality time left in his career. So, if Oakland gives him a fat deal to save face on this trade, it could cripple the team down the road.

Yes, there are risks in this deal and Seymour’s future contract status is at the top of the list. But if the Raiders' history is any indication, expect them to do what it takes to keep Seymour in Oakland.

Posted by ESPN.com’s Bill Williamson

If you were to tell me Saturday night that Richard Seymour would wake up a member of the AFC West on Sunday morning Oakland would not have been my first pick.

It would have been my fourth pick, truth be told.

First of all, the Raiders run a 4-3 defense and Seymour has been part of a 3-4 defense for several years. All of the three other teams in the AFC west run a 3-4 defense.

Then there’s the New England connection. Kansas City’s new general manager Scott Pioli was a long-time executive with the Patriots. You think he would have an interest in Seymour. Still, the Chiefs have several young defensive linemen and it’s highly doubtful that Pioli would give up a first-round pick for Seymour considering he is 29 and he is set to be a free agent next year. Oakland surrendered a 2011 first rounder for Seymour.

Denver coach Josh McDaniels, who was previously New England’s offensive coordinator, has been more than willing to give up future draft picks and he loves dealing with New England. And the Raiders have a need on the defensive line.

If anywhere in the division, my first guess for Seymour’s landing spot would be Denver. But Seymour is heading to the Silver and Black.

I would have never guessed it.

Posted by ESPN.com’s Bill Williamson

The early word I was hearing around the league was that many people thought the Raiders did not make a good trade for the long-term when they acquired standout defensive lineman Richard Seymour from New England on Sunday.

So, I went to Matt Williamson of Scouts Inc. Williamson (no relation) is a top-notch talent evaluator who doesn’t pull punches. He’ll tell you what he feels. I’m still waiting for him to be wrong on an opinion.

That could be ominous for Oakland.

“I think it was highway robbery,” Williamson said. “I don’t get it from the Raiders' standpoint. I don’t get it at all.”

Oakland gave up its top pick in 2011 for Seymour. That was the problem for Williamson. He said at this point, Seymour was worth a second-round pick, especially considering he is a free agent after this season.

Here is more of what Williamson had to say: “That could be the No. 1 pick in the 2011. The Raiders are a bad team and they will be a bad team next year. This will, at least, be a top-five pick. They could have gotten the best defensive lineman in that draft and he would be 22 years old. Seymour will be done by then. Seymour will be long gone by the time the Raiders are a good team. They are not one player away, not with all of their problems. This is a move a Super Bowl team makes, not the Raiders. Yes, he’s still a good player, but he’s not a great player anymore and he has an injury history. I don’t like it."

Posted by ESPN.com’s Bill Williamson

Give the Oakland Raiders credit. They want to break their six-season dismal streak.

	Doug Steinbock/US Presswire
	Defensive lineman Richard Seymour will instantly make the Raiders defense better.

They just a made a bold move worthy of a playoff contender by adding potential Hall of Fame defensive lineman Richard Seymour from New England. The only question is, was it worth the risk for Oakland?

Though Seymour is a fine player, he isn't the final piece of the puzzle for the Raiders. He is entering his final year of his contract and the Raiders paid a steep price to get him, a first-round pick in 2011. If Seymour, 29, walks away from Oakland after this season as a free agent, it would be a devastating blow to the future of the franchise. Over the past six years the Raiders have been routinely drafting in the top 10. If Seymour leaves, the Raiders will be taking a major step back.

But sometimes it takes a major risk to get out of a rut.

There’s no doubt Seymour makes Oakland’s defense much better. The Raiders were 31st against the run last season and they were savaged by the run in the preseason. With fellow veteran Greg Ellis brought in from Dallas, Oakland has a very professional line in the making. Add superstar left cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha and the Raiders have some very nice pieces on defense.

Seymour is an excellent player who will help Oakland. Yes, there are questions of how much he’ll help and if he’ll leave, but Al Davis has proven he’ll shell out large money for good players.

But Oakland is trying to get better and that can’t be denied.