The Raiders are set to move to Las Vegas for the 2020 season but these six players, either by not being re-signed or by being cut, might not join them.
On Monday, the Las Vegas Raiders made an expected cut as they released veteran linebacker Tahir Whitehead. His release will save head coach Jon Gruden and general manager Mike Mayock‘s club $6.25 million against the salary cap for the 2020 season. That’s especially important as the Raiders aim to improve their linebacker corps to continue the improvements of the team overall.
As the team prepares to move from Oakland to Las Vegas for the first time in franchise history (though certainly not the first relocation), the team is on the rise. After many expected the Raiders to struggle mightily in the 2019 season, Gruden’s group surprised many by putting themselves in playoff contention. They ultimately missed out with a 7-9 record but the infrastructure to succeed is being put in place.
While the future of Derek Carr, rumblings about Tom Brady, two first-round picks in the top 20 of the 2020 NFL Draft and plenty of cap space looming this offseason, the Raiders are in a position to take the next step. However, just as important as adding the right pieces, letting go the right pieces — such as Whitehead — could be just as important.
There are contracts the Raiders would certainly like to get out of but feasibly can’t right now; Tyrell Williams is at the top of that list. However, by either not re-signing or cutting these six players, they likely won’t be making the trip to Las Vegas.
6. Benson Mayowa, EDGE
Veteran pass-rusher Benson Mayowa has been productive over the past few seasons in the league. In 2016 with the Dallas Cowboys, he was among the team leaders in sacks with 6.0. Two years later with the Arizona Cardinals, he has four sacks on the season. Furthermore, he enjoyed a solid 2019 campaign with Oakland, registering 7.0 sacks and three forced fumbles on the year.
There’s no question that Mayowa has a role on an NFL team and, if the Raiders don’t re-sign him, he shouldn’t have a hard time finding work on a relatively modest deal. However, the simple fact is that he doesn’t fit into Las Vegas’ plans for their long-term rebuild
After selecting both Clelin Ferrell and Maxx Crosby in the 2019 NFL Draft, it’s clear that the silver and black are interested in upgrading their pass rush but also doing so with younger players that have more upside than someone like Mayowa, who will be 29 years old when the 2020 season kicks off.
Beyond just that, Mayowa is very much just a situational player that is only ever deployed as a pass-rusher. Both Ferrell and Crosby have upside as run defenders, which is clearly something that Mayock has identified. All of this points to the veteran Mayowa likely being done with the organization after one year.