Oakland Raiders could potentially be in the mix for offensive playmaker

The Oakland Raiders have some pressing concerns on the defensive side of the ball, but could they still be looking to add a receiver this offseason?

Oakland Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie and HC Jon Gruden have some big decisions to make this offseason as they hone and shape the team’s roster. One thing seems certain – there is going to be some turnover.

While the most glaring concerns are on the defensive side of the ball – the Raiders have had one of the league’s worst defenses the last few years – Gruden could potentially surprise us all by targeting an offensive playmaker this offseason.

After a down year and rumors of him being divisive in the locker surfacing, reports started circulating that Michael Crabtree‘s days in Oakland were done and that they would be moving on from one of their most productive receivers over the last few seasons.

Those reports have since been walked back a bit, but there is still a tremendous amount of uncertainty over whether or not Crabtree will, in fact, be a Raider next season.

If they opt to keep him, they keep one of quarterback Derek Carr‘s most reliable, productive targets. If they opt to cut him, they save a little more than $8 million dollars in cap space – money that could then be applied to bringing in another dynamic playmaker for Carr to throw to.

And that playmaker could potentially be Dolphins receiver Jarvis Landry.

The Landry to Oakland train started rolling at the Pro Bowl where he and Carr seemed to be developing some nice chemistry together. In fact, they had something of a budding bromance that got fans talking – and excited – about a potential pairing in 2018.

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However, when the Dolphins slapped Landry with the franchise tag about thirty seconds after the window to apply franchise and transition tags opened. That seemed to have killed the hope many fans had that they’d see Landry in a Silver and Black jersey next season.

However, in the days that followed Landry being tagged, the prevailing thought has become that Miami hit him with the tag in an effort to trade him. Some believe that in a deal worked out between Dolphins brass and Landry’s representatives, they tagged him to ensure they get something for him if/when he departs.

The moment Landry signs the tender, the Dolphins will be on the hook for a $16 million dollar cap hit this year. And with their own cap problems at the moment, that could hinder any real chance of them filling the holes on their own roster.

Which makes the idea of them tagging Landry in an effort to trade him all the more plausible, if not entirely likely.

It’s believed that Landry is looking for a long-term deal that the Dolphins are either unable or unwilling to give him. It’s been reported that Landry’s representatives are looking for something in the neighborhood of a four-year, $58 million dollar deal – roughly $14.5 million annually.

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As of this writing, according to Over the Cap, Oakland has about $20 million in cap space. But, that’s with the assumption of a $184 million dollar salary cap. Recent estimates have put that figure closer to the $180 million dollar mark.

If the Raiders make a few key cuts – Jared Cook, Marshawn Lynch, and Cordarrelle Patterson – that figure rises to a little over $41 million in cap space.

If the team was then to cut Bruce Irvin (they shouldn’t) and Crabtree (it’s debatable), that would raise their cap figure to a healthy $56 million – which would make it easier to sign a big name like Landry, and perhaps even one more marquee player, while leaving enough flexibility for the coming big dollar deal for Khalil Mack.

It’s important to note – and lends further credence to the idea that Miami is trying to trade him, rather than let him walk – that the Dolphins applied the non-exclusive version of the tag to Landry. Meaning, other teams can sign him to an offer sheet – an offer sheet Miami has the right to match, of course.

It’s pretty much a given that Miami’s people will be talking to potential suitors for Landry in Indianapolis. That’s where, for Gruden and McKenzie, the rubber will meet the road and – if they’re actually interested – will need to decide what Landry is worth.

Oh, not just in terms of contract dollars – they’re easily looking at $14 million a season. They know that before they even walk through the door.

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No, what they’re going to have to decide is what Landry is worth in terms of draft picks and/or players they will be willing to give up to obtain the dynamic receiver.

With so many needs on the defensive side of the ball, it doesn’t stand to reason that they’ll be willing to give up high picks to Miami for Landry. They could, but they might be shooting themselves in the foot if they do.

With a glut of sixth-round picks, is it possible they could package one or two of those and maybe a third rounder for Landry? Maybe. Would Miami be willing to accept a pick package like that? Well, that’s the real question.

The only answer at this moment that seems clear is that Miami is not interested in paying Landry $16 million dollars to play for them in 2018. They tagged him as a gambit to get some value in return for him leaving. But, if Miami doesn’t get any offers for Landry – which seems unlikely – they can always rescind the tag and make him a free agent.

Landry to the Raiders isn’t a foregone conclusion. But, neither is a dead stick in the water, either. They’re potentially in the mix to acquire him, and he’s definitely available if the price is right.

Now, it’s up to Gruden and McKenzie – if they’re interested – to determine how much they’re willing to bleed to bring him in.