Oakland Raiders: 5 Players The Team Should Consider Pink-Slipping

Adding to the Pot

Total savings: $19.3 million

By cutting just those five players, the Raiders would save just about $20 million dollars. They could add a significant amount to the pot and not really shortchange themselves in any way. Replacements who are in most cases, younger and more cost effective, can be found to replace all five on this list.

If the salary cap remains set at about $168 million as expected, cutting these five players would give the Raiders just about $54 million to work with. If they put off Khalil Mack’s extension a little bit longer, McKenzie – in theory – could massage the contracts enough to land both Dont’a Hightower and Tony Jefferson. Both of whom would help take this defense – and this team – to another level.

Defense was the Achilles Heel of this team last season. Carr and the offense had to score 30 plus a game because the defense was busy giving up almost that much.

Oakland’s defense was twentieth in the league last season, giving up 24 points a game. Which made it imperative for the offense to score the 26 a game that it did. Adding players like Hightower and/or Jefferson would immediate improve this defense at key positions and would immediately make it a very dangerous unit.

But a lot of things need to break just right for all of that to happen.

Next: Raiders Should Make One Big Splash In Free Agency

There is no doubt that McKenzie has helped make Oakland a desirable destination for free agents once again. Success breeds success and as the Raiders continue trending upward, players will naturally want to flock to the Silver and Black.

But to add some of those players – keep the ones he’s drafted – and make this team truly elite, McKenzie is going to need maximum financial flexibility. And one of the first steps in doing that, will be in saying goodbye to some players to clear out the burden of their salaries.