Oakland Raiders: Why there’s no rush to cut Sean Smith

After two rocky years with the Oakland Raiders and an off-field issue, many expect the team to cut cornerback Sean Smith. Don’t write him off yet.

The Oakland Raiders‘ new regime released cornerback David Amerson for its first roster move during the offseason. However, that wasn’t the only move expected to affect the secondary that has struggled in recent years.

Many expect Sean Smith to follow him as a veteran cap casualty. However, there’s no need to cut the cord before free agency.

Cornerback Vontae Davis visited the team, and he’ll mull over his options:

If Davis decides to don the silver and black, fans can wave goodbye to Smith days later. The team would save $8.5 million against the cap, per Over The Cap.

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However, unless the Raiders sign a veteran cornerback, there’s no need to show Smith the door. He’s going to stand trial for an assault case, but there’s uncertainty on how the process will play out. Oakland would recoup the same amount of cash if the team releases the 30-year old post-June 1.

General manager Reggie McKenzie could bypass the free-agent pool altogether and select a versatile perimeter defender at the top of the draft.

A ballhawk like Josh Jackson or an athletic cover defender such as Denzel Ward, who can line up on the outside or the slot, come to mind. However, it’s a risky move to start two inexperienced cornerbacks on opposite sides of the field.

While an Ohio State cornerback duo featuring Gareon Conley and Ward sounds nice, both would learn on the fly at a difficult position. The former only played 92 defensive snaps in 2017. It’s never a bad idea to keep a veteran on the roster until there’s firm confidence in a young starter.

Of course, the Raiders may also opt to re-sign T.J. Carrie who wants to remain with the Silver and Black, per San Francisco Chronicle reporter Matt Kawahara:

"My intention is to be here,” Carrie said. “I’m a hometown kid. I’m a Bay Area kid. I couldn’t see myself being anywhere else than Oakland. I’ve loved and I’ve dreamed of playing for the Raiders for such a long time. And now that I’ve had the opportunity to play there for four years, I want to finish there."

Carrie took the field as the Raiders’ best cornerback through most of the previous year, but he’s not someone who forces turnovers in coverage. The fourth-year starter logged one interception in each of his first three seasons but failed to snag a pick in 2017.

After Oakland promoted John Pagano to defensive coordinator before its Week 12 matchup with the Denver Broncos, Smith re-emerged as a viable starter. He intercepted two passes in Week 15 against the Dallas Cowboys and finished as the only Raiders defender with multiple picks.

Next: Oakland Raiders: 5 Bargain-bin options during 2018 NFL free agency

Smith’s contract number suggests, the team will likely release him because his production doesn’t match the salary on the books. However, an agreement to take a pay cut could extend his career in Oakland if Guenther feels he’s redeemable after a rocky two-year stint in silver and black.