After long being an afterthought in free agency, the Oakland Raiders have become a prime destination.

The Raiders used their ample salary cap room and core of promising young players to attract three coveted free agents in the opening days of the new league year.

Oakland signed cornerback Sean Smith to a [url=http://www.officialbuccaneersnflstore.com/AUTHENTIC+BOBBY+RAINEY+JERSEY]htt... $40 million contract Thursday, adding him to a free-agent group that already included top offensive lineman Kelechi Osemele and linebacker Bruce Irvin.

''They have a bunch of young talent who are ready to take that next step,'' Smith said.

''The coaching staff is amazing. You couldn't ask for a better coaching staff. I just felt like with a [url=http://www.officialbuccaneersnflstore.com/AUTHENTIC+BRADLEY+MCDOUGALD+JERSE... more pieces this team is ready to contend for real.''

Smith followed Osemele, who signed a five-year deal worth up to $60 million and Irvin, who got a reported $39 million for four seasons, as general manager Reggie McKenzie hopes he has added the final pieces to end Oakland's 13-year playoff drought.

With Super Bowl champion Denver [url=http://www.saintsofficialonlineshop.com/SUPER-BOWL-ANTHONY-SPENCER-JERSEY]A... Spencer Jerseydecimated by free agent departures this week, the new Raiders believe they are ready to contend in the AFC West.

''We definitely have more than enough pieces where they can be no more excuses as far as there being a gap,'' Osemele said. ''We definitely have what we need. We just need to put it together, build the chemistry and execute on Sundays.''

After winning just 11 games in McKenzie's first three seasons, Oakland [url=http://www.saintsofficialonlineshop.com/SUPER-BOWL-ARCHIE-MANNING-JERSEY]ht... seven games last season in the first season under coach Jack Del Rio as quarterback Derek Carr, pass rusher Khalil Mack and receiver Amari Cooper emerged as foundation pieces for the long-struggling organization.

McKenzie set out to fill those final holes this offseason, with cornerback perhaps the top need. Oakland targeted Smith from the start and won a heated competition for his services.

Smith has allowed opponents to catch fewer than 60 percent of passes for all seven of his NFL seasons and gives the Raiders the starter they needed alongside David Amerson.

The secondary was a glaring weakness for the Raiders last season as they struggled to find competent cornerbacks.