3 Players the Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders gave up on way too early

Player no. 2: Denico Autry, Defensive End

Yes, another defensive end makes the list. The Raiders struggled to find a replacement for Khalil Mack until Maxx Crosby was discovered and hit his stride in the desert. Denico Autry was an undrafted free agent before signing with the Oakland Raiders. Autry played four seasons in Oakland from 2014-2017 playing a substantial role on the defensive line. Autry was a disruptor in the 2016 campaign that led to the Raiders’ first playoff appearance since the 2002 season. Autry, alongside Khalil Mack and Bruce Irvin, were vital to the Raiders production that season. Autry peaked in 2017 with a career high five sacks, logging 5.5 combined in the previous three seasons.

You can see where this was going. Instead of signing Autry to a long-term contract the Raiders let Autry hit the open market. The Indianapolis Colts realized Autry’s potential and signed him to a three-year deal worth up to $18 million. In Autry’s three seasons with the Colts he logged 20 sacks, nearly double what he achieved in Oakland. Autry also made it to the playoffs two times in four seasons with the Colts.

Autry was not done. After his contract expired in Indianapolis he signed a third deal with the Tennessee Titans (3 years/$21 million) and thrived under head coach Mike Vrabel. Autry put up 17 sacks in two seasons and went to the playoffs in his inaugural season. The 6’5 285 pound edge rusher found himself a home in Tennessee after being a reliable and productive force on the defensive line. The Raiders still received good value from signing the free agent but clearly missed out on a long-term investment that would pay dividends for the Raiders.

This especially hurts considering Autry still could have played with the Raiders in 2022. Autry’s eight sacks in 2022 would have helped the defensive unit that put up the third-worst sack numbers in 2022 with 27 total. This is yet another edge rusher that was able to be effective with other clubs after leaving the Raiders and was rewarded financially at the same time.