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Reggie McKenzie's first Raiders draft pick his first reported 2016 free agent departure

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Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

The fact that Tony Bergstrom was still on the Raiders after four seasons as a backup seemed more like nostalgia than anything. After all, he was Reggie McKenzie's first draft pick as Raiders' GM even though it was as a third round compensatory pick due to the Raiders trading away their first three picks in the 2012 draft.

As it turns out, he is also the first of the Raiders free agents to find a home elsewhere. He heads to the Texans within an hour of the opening of free agency, according to John McClain of the Houston Chronicle.

Rather unexpected for a guy who was a career backup at guard and moved to backup center last season. But he makes sense for the Texans, who deploy a zone blocking scheme.

Bergstrom was drafted by the Raiders before the season they tried desperately to switch to zone. They quickly abandoned the idea and switched back to a power blocking scheme, which Bergstrom was not well suited.

Interesting Bergstrom's exit comes on the same day the Raiders will sign players who were drafted in the first and second round of that same draft -- Bruce Irvin (15th overall) and Kelechi Osemele (60th overall).