Oakland Raiders Should Make One Big Splash In Free Agency This Year
By Kevin Saito
The Oakland Raiders, with some hefty contract extensions on the immediate horizon, aren’t expected to spend freely this offseason – but they should make one big investment this year.
Oakland Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie has done a remarkable job of taking over a roster stuffed with bloated contracts for underperforming players, zero cap space, and not a lot of talent, and turning it into one of the best in the league. He’s helped turn the franchise from perennial doormats to actual contenders again.
And as a result of the team’s success, he’s got a number of superstar-level contracts that will be coming due very soon. To this point, McKenzie has managed the team’s cap quite deftly and has brought in players on team-friendly deals that have helped with flexibility and competitiveness. But as the talent level rises, the room under the cap will shrink and McKenzie will face some tough decisions.
Though cap space will become an issue eventually, McKenzie should try to make one big splash this offseason – one that could really help this team take the next big step in their evolution.
A year after making a big splash in signing Sean Smith, Kelechi Osemele, and Bruce Irvin, the Raiders aren’t expected to be major players in free agency this year. Not surprising, given the contracts for Derek Carr, Khalil Mack, and perhaps Gabe Jackson that are looming – as well as a deal for Amari Cooper on the horizon.
Despite all of that money expected to be flowing out in the not too distant future, McKenzie should still give serious thought to taking a run at free agent linebacker Dont’a Hightower.
With the team projected to have just under $40 million in cap space – and a good chunk of that earmarked for Carr and Mack already – it doesn’t seem likely that McKenzie could make a realistic play for Hightower, does it?
But given the way teams can massage the cap and structure deals with their players — something McKenzie has proven quite adept at — don’t count anything out.
Inside linebacker was one of Oakland’s biggest weaknesses last season. For the past few seasons, truth be told. Adding a player of Hightower’s caliber to the second level of that defense would instantly make that unit better – especially against the pass, which has been a big problem for this Raiders defense the last few years.
At 26 years old, Hightower is in his prime and is a commanding presence on the field. However, his price tag is expected to be somewhere around the $15 million per season mark, which would seem prohibitive at first blush.
But Hightower is the sort of player who can help elevate a defensive unit that sorely needs production from its inside linebackers – which could make paying him well worth it.
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Signing him would be tricky though. Yes, there are some players who could be released in cost savings maneuvers, but McKenzie would likely have to put off extending reigning Defensive Player of the Year Mack’s contract a season.
Oakland holds a fifth-year option on Mack, by virtue of his status as a first round pick. It’s an option that they will undoubtedly exercise to ensure his presence on the roster for another year – time they can then use to hammer out a contract that pays him what he’s worth. And given the deal given to Denver’s Von Miller, he’s going to be worth a lot.
Though McKenzie has stated repeatedly that his priority is to get Carr and Mack under contract for the long term, he could make a case that by putting Mack’s off for one season, he can help make this team even better – especially if he can land a player of Hightower’s caliber.
And one would like to think that McKenzie has the credibility and capital with the players to make it work with and for them – and for the team.
The Raiders desperately need help from their inside linebackers. Having rotated through the likes of Curtis Lofton, Malcolm Smith, Ben Heeney, Neiron Ball, and Cory James, they’ve not found anybody who can be an intimidating – and consistent – force inside. And they need one.
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Getting help from that second level would undoubtedly help Mack raise his game even more – which in turn, would help the defense as a whole. A player like Hightower could absolutely help this defensive unit raise its game to another level.
Assuming Bill Belichick and the Patriots let Hightower get to free agency – they could still slap him with the franchise tag – McKenzie would be wise to be ready to pounce.