Oakland Raiders: 6 Players Who Should Become Ex-Raiders This Offseason

The Oakland Raiders have some decisions to make as they shape their roster for 2018 – here are a few who should become ex-Raiders this offseason.

As the Oakland Raiders head into the offseason, they have a number of roster decisions to make. No doubt, Jon Gruden, the presumed incoming head coach, is going to have a large say in who stays and who goes.

And, inheriting a roster with some holes and players who vastly underachieved, this team may look quite a bit different than it did in 2017 with Gruden at the controls. While there will be many holdovers he’ll want to hang on to – for now – there also may be quite a bit of turnover as Gruden tinkers with the roster.

You would hope Gruden is smart enough to let players with expiring contracts like Reggie Nelson walk off into the sunset, never to darken the doorstep of Raiders HQ again.

Other decisions may be more difficult – say, in the case of a Justin Ellis or Denico Autry (though, given his level of play over the second half of the season, and Oakland’s need on the defensive line, an effort should be made to retain him)

Given that the Raiders have some needs and some holes to fill, and given the monster contract expected to be hammered out for All-World Everything, Khalil Mack, Oakland is going to need some flexibility under the cap.

The need for some cash to sign some of their own free agents, as well as attract a few new ones in areas of need, should provide plenty of justification for jettisoning players who carry a big cap number, have woefully underperformed, and/or who are superfluous at their position.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at a few players who fit those criteria and should become ex-Raiders this offseason.