Hudson, a secondteam All-Pro, breaks Raiders’ drought
ALAMEDA >> Center Rodney Hudson was the lone Raider to be recognized on the Associated Press All-Pro team as a second-team selection.
Hudson received nine of 50 votes from a panel of media members throughout the country, finishing behind Philadelphia’s Jason Kelce, who had 29 votes.
It was the first time the Raiders were represented on the AllPro team since 2016, when defensive end Khalil Mack and guard Kelechi Osemele were first team and punter Marquette King was second team on a team that finished 12-4.
Last August, Hudson, 30, signed a three-year, $33.75 million contract extension to remain with the Raiders. Hudson was the Raiders first big free agent signing by former general manager Reggie McKenzie in 2015 and has been a rock for three different coaching staffs under Dennis Allen (and Tony Sparano), Jack Del Rio and now Jon Gruden.
On Dec. 15, Hudson became the first player to ever win the club’s Commitment to Excellence Award three consecutive times. Voted on by the players, it is presented annually to the Raider who best exemplifies hard work, leadership, and excellence on and off the field throughout the season.
Only two other Raiders received votes in the All-Pro balloting. Right tackle Trent Brown received two votes despite missing five games due to injury, eventually ending up on injured reserve with a torn pectoral. Tight end Darren Waller received a vote at the “flex” position for hybrid skill position players who don’t necessarily stay in the same spot every snap.
• If Nevin Lawson returns to the Raiders in 2020, he’ll be sitting out Week 1. The Raiders cornerback received a one-game suspension for swinging his helmet at an opposing player in the final moments of a 16-15 loss to the Broncos in the regular-season finale.
Lawson 28 was ejected following an onside kick by the Raiders’ Daniel Carlson which was recovered by the Broncos.
Lawson signed a one-year contract with the Raiders last season but missed the first four games of the season while under a suspension for violating the NFL policy of performance enhancing drugs.