Oakland Raiders: Cap-saving cuts could have big free agency impact
Though the Oakland Raiders have just under $20 million in cap space for 2018, some big-time cuts could make their pockets much deeper in free agency.
Throughout the 2017 season, it became abundantly clear that the Oakland Raiders were far more deficient of a team than many thought in the preseason. Granted, part of that may have been due to the ineffectiveness of some members of the coaching staff. While that may be so, though, it was also a revelation that their roster — particularly on defense — could stand to see some upgrades.
After a down season, the Raiders will undoubtedly have the chance to use the 2018 NFL Draft to do that. However, it would be nice to see Oakland, now led by highly paid new head coach Jon Gruden, also have the ability to attack free agency. As things stand now in regards to the salary cap, however, that’s not possible.
According to Over The Cap, the Raiders will enter 2018 NFL Free Agency with $19.95 million in cap space. Translation: They don’t have much room to work with at all. Yes, they could make savvy signings, but that’s hardly enough money to make a big splash, which Oakland could likely use. Having said that, things may not remain this way.
Looking at the books in Oakland, there are moves that could be made in the way of cuts that could set the franchise up nicely. Yes, they could save money with no dead cap by cutting the likes of Khalil Mack, Rodney Hudson or Kelechi Osemele — but that’s not remotely happening. Instead, there are other players that could be axed. The most obvious of these begins with cornerback Sean Smith.
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Though Smith wasn’t as much of a liability this past season as he was the previous year, he still hasn’t lived up to the lofty contract that the Raiders signed him to. Luckily, Oakland can get out of that deal with no penalty in terms of dead cap this season. By cutting Smith, the Raiders would thus save $8.5 million for 2018.
Marshawn Lynch and Jared Cook are two other guys that could get cut this offseason in the Bay Area. While both showed some level of effectiveness this past season, they were also both inconsistent and not necessarily worth their contracts. Lynch could be cut to save $5.95 million, while cutting Cook would net Oakland another $5.3 million.
Other potential cut candidates include Cordarrelle Patterson ($3.25 million saved, no dead cap), Clive Walford ($1.9 million saved, $198,000 in dead cap) and Marshall Newhouse ($1.75 million saved, no dead cap). Then things start to get a bit trickier.
In wake of the drop issues of Amari Cooper, Michael Crabtree has been the go-to receiver in the Raiders offense over the past year. However, Oakland would save upwards of $7.7 million by cutting Crabtree this offseason while incurring no dead cap. What’s more, the wideout is also getting up there in age at this point, so one has to wonder if a decline is approaching.
Meanwhile, Bruce Irvin is 30 years old and nearing the downslope of his career as well. On top of that, he hasn’t been an elite player in Oakland, though he has been above average opposite of the aforementioned star, Mack. Yet, is he worth more to the Raiders on the field than the $8.25 million that the team could save by cutting him? It’s hard to say.
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Regardless, the Raiders cap number right now is a bit deceiving, which is good news for the Oakland brass. With the right and proper cuts, they can surely attack free agency with vigor and effectiveness. If they do so, we know they have the star-power and talent to get back into the postseason mix sooner rather than later.