Right now there are only eight NFL clubs who have fewer players making an average of $10 million per season than the Raiders (6). With some $34.5 million in cap room, the Raiders should seriously be thinking about making a few more players offers to keep them around for a while.
There are several players who are entering the last year of their contract who the Raiders would be very wise to lock up as soon as possible.
Not all of those players are going to command more than $10 million per season. But there are two who absolutely should, based on their talent and at the premium position they play.
Let’s start with:
Malcolm Koonce
The former third round pick out of Buffalo came on strong late last season when Antonio Pierce took over as interim head coach. And he has continued to lay claim to the starting defensive end spot opposite Maxx Crosby.
As Jon Gruden notoriously said not long after stupidly trading away Khalil Mack: “Good pass rushers are hard to find.” Well, the Raiders tapped into Buffalo again and found another one. And this time they can’t let him get away.
Koonce has given every indication so far that his play late last season wasn’t a fluke. He developed. And if the Raiders would like to keep that development in house, they need to lock him up.
Edge rushers is one of the highest paying positions in football. Maxx Crosby’s average of $23.5 million per season is still ninth in the league. The only positions with more overall value in the league than that are quarterback and wide receiver.
If the Raiders were to give Koonce a contract that averaged $10 million per season, that would land him 35th among edge rushers. Though you could understand if maybe Koonce and his agent would rather wait until after this season to see if he could get an even better contract.
Nate Hobbs
No player on this team is more deserving of a new contract than Hobbs. He’s still playing on his fifth round rookie contract and he outplayed that… well, as a rookie. He’s been the best cornerback on this team for three seasons now and asking for a contract that would put him in the top ten at his position wouldn’t be far fetched.
Something around $15 million per season would land Hobbs in the top ten at his position. And, for what it’s worth, a contract that paid him $10 million per season would land him at 18th at his position.
A deal with Hobbs should be getting done. He is part of the heart and soul of this defense and this team as a whole, he’s proven he’s worth it, and the Raiders can absolutely afford it right now.
Also see: Top 5 players Raiders should offer extensions prior to 2024 season