Bruce Irvin, one of most intriguing free agents, is expected to sign with the Oakland Raiders when the new league year starts on Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET, filling their need for an edge rush presence opposite All-Pro defender Khalil Mack.
Irvin was one of the surprises of the 2012 draft, as the Seattle Seahawks nabbed him No. 15 overall without much fanfare. The undersized rusher stepped right into a situational role for the Seahawks, picking up 11 sacks, 12 quarterback hits and 24 hurries on 393 rushes as a rookie in 2012, per Pro Football Focus grading. In 2013, however, his role changed, and he had a dip in production. The Seahawks moved Irvin out to more of a traditional Sam linebacker, charged with setting the edge in the running game and dropping into coverage more often; he had 191 coverage snaps in 2013, compared to only 14 in 2012.