Oakland Raiders Cap Casualties for 2017
Free agency is in full swing and dozens of story-lines are floating around the league are floating around the league about free agency cap hits. Perhaps the most important question until the draft: Who’s losing and who’s winning the free agency race. The Oakland Raiders have a fairly large salary cap this year, with nearly $50 Million to work with. Given the enormity of the contracts that McKenzie has to craft for young stars, Derek Carr and Khalil Mack, cap casualties are almost a guarantee. These are the highest-speculated players who could be shown the door, without the Raiders seeing much loss.
Austin Howard
There was a regular trade-off at right tackle between Howard and Menelik Watson in 2016. At the beginning of the season, Watson came out on top. Until Watson was lost to injury early, Austin Howard saw no starting time and little playing time. After the swap, the team determined that Howard could fill the hole, but not fill the need. Still, with a top-3 rated offensive line, it may not be time to upset the apple cart. With a $2.8 million cap hit, the Raiders may decide that he’s worth another shot. If a suitable draft option presents itself, Howard’s future with the Raiders becomes questionable.
Likelihood of loss: 3/5
Dan Williams
By the end of the season, many Raiders fans were unfamiliar with the name Dan Williams. And for good reason. He started 11 games with the Silver and Black and racked up a whopping 17 tackles and half a sack. Lackluster numbers at best. He wouldn’t cost the Raiders anything to ditch, and they have a chance to find a better option in the draft.
Likelihood of loss: 4.5/5
Sean Smith
After a huge free-agency signing with Sean Smith, expectations were through the roof that the corner, poached from AFC West rival Kansas City, would give opposing offenses fits. But his numbers weren’t as expected. Most of his stats didn’t even rank in the top 20 for corners this season. This has left fans calling for Smith’s head. Still, his numbers were consistent with previous seasons and he tends to improve the longer he’s in the defensive scheme. Even though Reggie McKenzie wrote a shrewd deal that will prevent the Raiders from losing money, they may not be willing to give up on him yet.
Likelihood of Loss: 1/5
Sebastian Janikowski
Being the fourth highest paid kicker in the league comes with its critics. Behind 2 playoff kickers and one of the only kickers in the league to miss zero PATs, Sebas seems to still be worth a good chunk of money on paper. Even though he’s a solid top-10 kicker, whispers are getting louder, saying that Janikowski is no longer worth the hype. He’s the lone survivor of the last time the Raiders saw a post-season and retiring in Silver and Black is probably on his bucket list. McKenzie likely feels the same way. Even if the team tries out a backup kicker here and there in 2017, the team will negotiate with Janikowski until they come to a mutually beneficial agreement.
Likelihood of loss: 0.5/5
Aldon Smith
Aldon Smith has been a hot-button for the Raiders since picking him up in 2015. His first season saw less than stellar production, but still he’s become an icon of the Raiders-of-old comeback kid. However, even more legal troubles piled on might lead Oakland to cut ties with the linebacker. Playing out his contract, if he’s able to play, means that the Raiders can release him in 2018, or they can send him packing right now without incident right. Depending on how the latest police run-in shakes out, Oakland might take the opportunity to get another talented linebacker to take his place.
Likelihood of loss: 3/5
Likelihood if he skirts the police problems: 1/5
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2017/02/14/aldon-smith-cooperating-with-san-francisco-police/
So when Reggie McKenzie and crew go to the table to create their off-season plan, money and production will determine who gets the boot. McKenzie and Coach del Rio know each player’s value to the team so we’ll see movement soon. All the questions will be answered about who has earned their place and who the Raiders would benefit most from releasing to prime themselves for a second consecutive playoff berth.
