The salary cap situation has been like a rollercoaster ride for the Raiders this offseason. It went from negative money to as much as $40 million after a few moves. And now the money is running low again after several additions and re-signings. So, it’s time to find some more.
According to overthecap.com, the Raiders are sitting at $7.8 million in cap room. And they have yet to factor in the additions of RB Kenyan Drake (possibly $5.5 million cap hit), WR John Brown ($3.5 million), DL Solomon Thomas (probably around $3 million), and the returns of Richie Incognito ($2.6 million), and RB Theo Riddick ($1.175 million).
If you factor in the contracts that would bump out of the top 51 once the above contracts are added, the Raiders sit at around $4 million *over* the cap. So, they would need to make $4 million in roster moves just to get back to even. Let alone address some of their still glaring needs such as safety, cornerback, and offensive tackle
Outside of some unforeseen restructures — which they already did with the contracts of Cory Littleton and Nick Kwiatkoski — there are three most likely places they can go about finding more cap money. Or, more to the point, three players.
1. QB Marcus Mariota
It’s been speculated that the Raiders would attempt to do something with Mariota this offseason. First option was to find a trade partner. And they’re still attempting to make that happen. Next option is to get him to take a pay cut. And reports this morning are saying that they asked him to take a whopping $7 million pay cut. And if neither of those options work, they go with the third option which is just to release him.
If Mariota is cut or traded, it frees up some $10.6 million in cap money with no dead money left behind.
2. DE Carl Nassib
There’s a ticking clock on this one. And it ends tomorrow. If Nassib is still on the roster by March 19, $5.75 million in guarantees kick in. Should they release him prior to that, they save that money, leaving $3.5 million in dead money. If this move doesn’t happen by tomorrow, it doesn’t happen at all as he is guaranteed $9.25 million for next season.
3. RB Jalen Richard
The addition of Kenyan Drake at a base of $5.5 million per season along with the re-signing of Theo Riddick could possible be precursors to Richard being let go. He has been relegated to the role of receiving back in Gruden’s offense and yet will make more ($3.5 million) than Josh Jacobs ($3.25 million) this coming season. Should the Raiders cut or trade Richard, he would save $2.375 million while leaving $1.125 million in dead money.
Between the three of them, they represent as much as $17 million in cap savings, which would put them around $13 million under the cap.