Raiders agree to deal with free-agent WR Drew Carter

3/12/2008 7:52 PM

By JOSH DUBOW
AP Sports Writer

ALAMEDA, Calif. (AP) -The Oakland Raiders have added another wide receiver, agreeing to terms Wednesday on a $2 million, one-year contract with free-agent Drew Carter.

The deal with Carter follows the one given last week to former Pro Bowl receiver Javon Walker as Oakland tries to surround quarterback JaMarcus Russell with more big-play options.

Carter's agent, Joel Segal, confirmed the deal, which was later announced by the Raiders.

Carter set career highs last season with 38 catches for 517 yards and four touchdowns for the Carolina Panthers.

A fifth-round pick out of Ohio State in 2004, Carter missed his first pro season with a knee injury and has 71 career catches for 977 yards and eight touchdowns.

After losing receiver Jerry Porter to Jacksonville through free agency, the Raiders had only one wide receiver under contract with more than six career catches before adding Walker and Carter.

Russell, the No. 1 overall pick in last year's draft, will enter next season as the No. 1 quarterback after starting only one game as a rookie. The Raiders are trying to do their best to give him as many options as possible.

Ronald Curry led the Raiders with 55 receptions for 717 yards last season, but had only 11 catches in the final five games last season. Curry has 174 career receptions for 2,166 yards and 11 touchdowns.

The other receivers under contract are Johnnie Lee Higgins, who had six catches as a rookie last season for 47 yards, Will Buchanon, who has one career reception, and Drisan James and Todd Watkins, who have never caught a pass in the NFL.

Walker has 252 career catches for 3,815 yards and 30 scores.