Raiders officially announce signing of LB Bruce Irvin

The Raiders have officially announced the signing of linebacker Bruce Irvin, formerly of the Seattle Seahawks.

We have signed linebacker @BIrvin_WVU11.

Read: https://t.co/OKHM2oXyBh pic.twitter.com/6Qk7glEm9N

— OAKLAND RAIDERS (@RAIDERS) March 11, 2016

Irvin spent the first four seasons of his career as a Seahawk after having been drafted 15th overall in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft out of West Virginia. He started out as a defensive end but was moved to linebacker under the tutelage of current Raiders defensive coordinator Ken Norton, Jr. Irvin has totaled 22 sacks to go with 132 tackles and four forced fumbles during his tenure with Seattle.

Despite the drafting of Irvin being derided by many draft analysts, Irvin was a major piece not only in Seattle's Super Bowl run in 2013 but also in the Seattle defense being the top overall defensive team in the league in both 2014 and 2013.

The 6'3", 248-pound Irvin will team with Khalil Mack to form one of the most dangerous pass-rushing combinations in the entire NFL during the upcoming season. As the Raiders look toward the playoffs, Bruce Irvin will be a player they will have to count on.