Tight end Lee Smith staying with Raiders

The Raiders are getting their goon back. Tight end Lee Smith, who was set to become a free agent, is re-signing with the Raiders according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.

Smith was originally signed by the Raiders in 2015 on a 3-year deal. After missing all but four games in 2016, the big blocking tight end re-did his deal last offseason, making it a team friendly, incentive laden deal.

He then went out and didn’t miss a game, starting nine.

This 6-6, 269-pounder is the type of guy you want on your team. When it was reported the team had agreed to terms on a 3-year deal with tight end Derek Carrier, it looked like perhaps he would be the replacement for Smith. And he would have had Smith left. Now they could compete at tight end or even both make the squad.

The other tight ends currently on the roster are starting tight end Jared Cook and reserves Clive Walford and Pharaoh Brown.