Currently, the Raiders’ team cap space is $60.3M, according to OverTheCap.com. That is a pretty decent amount. It’s just outside the top ten most cap space available at present.

Consider though that they acquired four players last offseason on the first day of the new league year that took up nearly that much cap space – Trent Brown, Antonio Brown, LaMarcus Joyner, and Tyrell Williams. And then they had to leave room for the draft class.

That team was in dire need of a free agency splash. This one might require a bit more of a strategic approach, but it has some big needs just the same.

When looking at the books and deciding where to look for some cash flow, there are five players who stand out above the rest, making them prime candidates to be cut or traded this offseason.

QB Derek Carr, 28

Dead money: $5M

2019 cap savings: $16.5M

Note: For the first time since he signed his new deal three years ago, Carr’s saving far outweigh his dead money. So, for the first time it makes sense to entertain the thought of moving him. A trade could be the way to go, if they can find a team willing to send them something in the way of a second-round pick. But they might want to make sure they have a plan to replace him if they do it.

WR Tyrell Williams, 28

Dead money: $0

2019 cap savings: $11.1M

Note: Yes, they just signed him. He had an utterly disappointing first season with the Raiders while fighting through a plantar fascia injury. If they are bringing him back, they have until the third day of the 2020 waiver period which is Feb 5.

G Gabe Jackson, 28

Dead money: $0

2019 cap savings: $9.6M

Note: Jackson signed a big extension prior to the 2017 season that goes through 2022. For the first time since he signed the deal, he would leave no dead money behind if cut or traded. He is still the sixth highest-paid guard in the league at an average of $11 million per season, but he didn’t really play like it last season.

In fact, at that pay rate, you’d expect a Pro Bowl by now, which he’s never reached. He also has missed 8 games the past two seasons with injuries. The Raiders got just a sixth-round pick for Osemele who they were going to cut because he made a lot of money and wasn’t able to stay healthy of late. Something to think about with Jackson as well.

LB Tahir Whitehead, 29

Dead money: $1.04

2019 cap savings: $6.25M

Whitehead has been the Raiders ambassador for a lot of events and was on hand for their groundbreaking in Vegas. He’s also their nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year award. That may make him likable, but this is still a business.

The performance at linebacker for the Raiders has been terrible almost across the board. If they are looking to clean house at the position, wiping $6.25 million off the books could be a good place to start.

WR Zay Jones, 24

Dead money: $0

2019 cap savings: $1.4M

One of three wide receivers the Raiders acquired in a trade last year. One of two they made midseason. The other two were Antonio Brown and Trent Davis. Both of them are gone. Jones cost a fifth-round pick to acquire, he appeared in 10 games and started 7, but caught just 20 passes for 147 yards and no touchdowns. That fifth-round pick and $1.4 million is basically just charity at this point.

[vertical-gallery id=60514]

[lawrence-newsletter]