Veteran offensive guard and controversial figure Richie Incognito (64) has agreed to a one-year deal with the Oakland Raiders.

ALAMEDA, Calif. — Throughout the draft process, Oakland Raiders general manager Mike Mayock and coach Jon Gruden stressed the importance of character when looking for players who could help turn the franchise around.

When it comes to veterans, the Raiders have been much more willing to take chances.

The latest potentially risky acquisition came on Tuesday when the Raiders signed troubled former Pro Bowl guard Richie Incognito to a one-year contract despite a history that includes a suspension for bullying, run-ins with law enforcement and the potential for another suspension from the NFL.

“At the end of the day, you can’t have all Boy Scouts,” Mayock said. “You have to do your homework on each individual case. We’ve done our homework. We’ve talked to an awful lot of people. ... We’ve talked to Richie. We’ve told Richie what we expect both on and off the field and we expect him to adhere to that.”

Incognito, who turns 36 in July, has played 11 years in the NFL, making the Pro Bowl four times, and immediately becomes the leading contender to start at left guard in Oakland.

But he comes with significant baggage, including multiple suspensions in college, the ban for bullying in Miami in 2013, allegations that he made racist slurs to an opponent during a playoff game in January 2018 and two run-ins with police since he retired following the 2017 season.

Incognito pleaded guilty last month to disorderly conduct in Scottsdale, Arizona, after being accused of threatening employees at a funeral home where his father’s body was being held. He could face a suspension from the NFL over his conduct.

“We’ve talked to the NFL, we’ve stayed in touch with them,” Mayock said. “There’s a chance there could be league discipline. Don’t know what it will be. It’s a one-year, minimum prove-it deal and we feel that he’s incented properly to stay straight and we don’t know what the NFL will do.”

Incognito fills a big hole on Oakland’s offensive line after Kelechi Osemele was traded to the New York Jets in the offseason. Denzelle Good had been working at left guard, but the Raiders wanted a more proven option and began talking with Incognito earlier this offseason.

He visited the team facility and took a physical early in May but didn’t sign until Tuesday.

“He’s just a really tough football player,” said offensive coordinator Greg Olson, who worked with Incognito in St. Louis. “He brings a tough demeanor to the room and the offensive side of the ball.”