Source: Raiders tender three exclusive rights free agents

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The Raiders had four exclusive rights free agents heading into the 2017 league year. On Thursday, Oakland offered contract tenders to three of them.

Receiver Seth Roberts, offensive lineman Denver Kirkland and tight end Gabe Holmes were tendered, a source told CSN Bay Area on Thursday. Defensive back SaQwan Edwards, who was on injured reserve starting with last season’s offseason program, was not.

Exclusive rights free agents, players with two years or fewer NFL experience, offered tenders are essentially bound to their NFL team. They can’t negotiate with other teams, and must sign the contract offer or sit out the season.

All three tendered players will sign in time. All three were slam-dunks.

Roberts is the Raiders’ primary slot receiver. He has 70 catches for 877 yards and 10 touchdowns over the past two seasons. The Raiders love him, and hope to develop him further and steady occasionally unsure hands.

Kirkland is a versatile offensive lineman who can play guard or tackle, and frequently operated as a sixth offensive lineman after he was signed off the practice squad.

The Raiders have high hopes for Holmes, who suffered a season-ending ankle injury during 2016 training camp. He spent 2015 on the practice squad, with a few games on the active roster.

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