Tight end Smith released, picks signed

The Raiders released tight end Lee Smith after four seasons, the team announced Thursday.

Smith, 31, was Oakland’s primary blocking tight end in the running game. He appeared in all 32 games over the past two seasons with 13 starts.

The move came shortly after the Raiders announced the signing of tight end Foster Moreau, the fourth-round draft pick from LSU. The Raiders were already crowded at tight end with Darren Waller, Derek Carrier and free-agent signing Luke Willson also at the position.

Waller is seen as the top candidate to replace Jared Cook, the Raiders’ leading receiver in 2018 who left in free agency, as a pass-catching tight end. Moreau was used as more of a blocking tight end in college and is thus similar to Smith, who had 10 catches last season for 73 yards and three touchdowns.

Smith was a vocal presence in the Raiders’ locker room. In October, with the Raiders at 1-5, Smith gave a speech to media at his locker in defense of quarterback Derek Carr, who was drawing criticism following a blowout loss to the Seahawks in London.

By releasing Smith, the Raiders clear about $1.88 million in 2019 salary-cap space, according to Over The Cap, while committing $733,334 in dead money.

Moreau was the first of several 2019 draft picks to sign with the Raiders on Thursday.

The Raiders also announced the signings of defensive end Maxx Crosby (fourth round), cornerback Isaiah Johnson (fourth round), receiver Hunter Renfrow (fifth round) and defensive end Quinton Bell (seventh round). The team will hold its rookie minicamp on Friday in Alameda.

Raiders re-sign Martin:

The Raiders officially re-signed running back Doug Martin on Thursday, days after losing Isaiah Crowell to a season-ending Achilles injury.

Crowell, whom the Raiders signed to a oneyear free-agent deal in March, tore his Achilles in practice Tuesday and will have surgery next week, ESPN first reported.

Crowell’s signing and the addition of Alabama running back Josh Jacobs in last week’s draft had indicated the Raiders were ready to move on from Marshawn Lynch and Martin, their featured backs last season. Crowell’s injury created an opening for Martin’s return.

Martin, 30, led the Raiders in carries (172), rushing yards (723) and rushing touchdowns (four) last season, becoming the team’s primary back after Lynch sustained a groin injury in Week 6. Martin also had 18 catches for 116 yards and three fumbles. Martin finished with 100-yard rushing games in the final two weeks of the season against Denver and Kansas City.