With the free agency set to start on Wednesday and the Raiders now sitting $ 40 million below the limit after restructuring the contracts for Cory Littleton and Nick Kwiatkoski, they are in an excellent position to make an impact both in front of the big player free agency secondary market.
Littleton and Kwiatkoski, who signed three-year contracts last year, each agreed to restructure their businesses and collectively cut $ 7.1 million from the books.
Remember that the cap is expected to grow to over $ 50 million with the expected change or release of quarterback Marcus Mariota. This will only increase Raiders’ purchasing power as they fill holes in the free safety, cornerback and offensive and defensive line, while making sure to keep some of their own agents free.
There is a lot of work to be done and enough money to run the business. But a combination of aggressiveness and patience will be needed while Raiders prioritize some mandatory positions with big-bang additions and fill in other gaps by plunging into a deep pool of veteran talent.
Here is our free Raiders agency plan:
The big splashes
John Johnson, S, Rams
How it fits: Raiders are in desperate need of a security upgrade and a secondary leader. Johnson marks the two boxes. Its addition would not only significantly improve a large area of need, the ripple effect would benefit young cornerbacks Damon Arnette and Trayvon Mullen and release fellow security officer Johnathan Abram to be used in a way that best suits his skill set.
Competition: New Chargers head coach Brandon Staley, who was the defensive coordinator for Rams last year, has talked about Johnson since taking over the Chargers. The other LA team has plenty of space for the cap, and the idea of uniting Johnson with young security guard Derwin James is appealing.
Preview: Frankly, this is a mandatory player for Raiders. With the Chargers potentially in hot pursuit, winding him up would not only strengthen the Raiders, but would also keep him away from a division rival. Johnson arrives in Las Vegas with a $ 51 million four-year contract, with $ 26 million guaranteed. Nevada’s lack of state taxes helps offset the Chargers’ offer.
Dalvin Tomlinson, DT, Giants
How he fits in: Tomlinson has always been an elite quarterback and a double-team devourer who frees teammates to better hit the passer. But he improved his passing race last year, he was 20th among his peers in that category, according to Pro Football Focus. Equipped with emerging defensive tackle Maurice Hurst, Tomlinson could be part of a formidable interior ensemble.
Competition: The Cowboys, Patriots and Jaguars are all in the mix for the 26-year-old indoor disruptor, so there will be no shortage of suitors.
Prediction: The Raiders open a big hole in a four-year $ 50 million deal, with $ 25 million guaranteed.
Second phase help
Melvin Ingram, Edge, Chargers
How it fits: As long as he is beyond his knee injury, Ingram can still push him over the edge. Having played under the command of Gus Bradley, the new defensive coordinator for the Raiders, he fits in perfectly as a veteran pass rusher who understands the system. Ingram can split the time with the young defensive side Maxx Crosby in a rotation that keeps both players up to date and effective.
Competition: Raiders must be in good shape with the relationship that Ingram has with Bradley, the opportunity that awaits him in Las Vegas and the money that they can offer him.
Prediction: With the edge rush so important in the NFL, Ingram imagines having options. But a large group of veteran players makes this market a buyers’ market. The Raiders secured their veteran pass in a three-year $ 25 million deal, with a guaranteed $ 16 million.
Mitchell Schwartz, T, (released by the Chiefs)
How it fits together: When exchanging Trent Brown for the Patriots, the Raiders opened a big hole in the right tackle. Schwartz, whom the Chiefs eliminated last week in a wage cap dump, is still an effective player and would help solidify the Raiders’ tackle position against Kolton Miller.
Competition: A deep draft class and a growing group of free agents in the tackle will benefit the Raiders, as the available talent can be greater than the suitors. The 49ers could be in the mix for Schwartz if Trent Williams leaves San Francisco.
Forecast: Raiders are upgraded to the right tackle on a two-year contract, $ 16 million, with $ 11 million guaranteed.
Keeping your
Nelson Agholor WR
Why it fits: The Raiders received great value from Agholor in the one-year contract, at the very least a veteran. Paired with Derek Carr in Jon Gruden’s attack, he became a reference recipient and a veteran presence. Raiders cannot take a step back offensively, and Agholor offers reliability, production and a deep ball threat in an otherwise young Raiders’ receiving body.
Competition: The market will be flooded with wide receivers, and a deep draft class just adds to the talent pool. Agholor will have suitors, but no one should overpay.
Forecast: Agholor remains in Las Vegas in a two-year deal, $ 14 million, with $ 11 million guaranteed.
Denzelle Good, G
Why it fits: Good filled admirably for Trent Brown on the right tackle and Richie Incognito on the left guard last year, and with Gabe Jackson probably out the door and Incognito no longer in the squad – for now – the Raiders need the Good and of the continuity that it brings.
Competition: Bom offers great value to several teams, but with an overloaded market in both free agency and draft, your options outside the Raiders will be limited.
Prediction: The Raiders bring Good back into a two-year $ 3 million deal.
Nicholas Morrow, LB
Why he fits in: Morrow took a big step forward in passing coverage and running defense last year and filled in well when Cory Littleton and Nick Kwiatkoski were out of the lineup. He fits as a promising linebacker at a moderate cost, able to maintain an initial role in defending the Raiders’ base or, if the Raiders add a better option in the draft, an off-the-bench reserve.
Competition: Morrow is expected to test the market, but with a reduced salary cap and an abundance of veteran linebackers available, his best bet is to return to a team he fits well with,
Preview: The Raiders bring Morrow back with a $ 6 million two-year contract, with a guaranteed $ 3 million.
Contact Vincent Bonsignore at [email protected]. follow @VinnyBonsignore on twitter.