Oakland Raiders: A few possible FA targets for the frugal-minded

The Oakland Raiders have plenty of needs and not a lot of cash to address them – here are a few potential bargain targets to consider.

Oakland Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie and HC Jon Gruden are in a bit of a pickle. They need to upgrade a boatload of positions, but they have limited wiggle room under the cap to work with.

And oh yeah, they also still have a mammoth contract extension for Khalil Mack to work out as well.

Although, as Levi Damien helpfully pointed out recently, getting a deal done for Mack sooner, rather than later, could lead to a wee bit more room under the cap to work with.

Still, the needs are great and the funds are short. It’s quite the dilemma.

As of this writing, the Raiders – per Sportrac – have a tick over $28 million in cap space available. And as Damien pointed out, that factors in Mack’s $13 million dollar salary, playing on his fifth-year option. Although, working out a long-term deal with the superstar could lower his cap hit this season, giving the Raiders a little more room to play with.

That figure could also rise should the team opt to part ways with some veteran guys on big money deals like Michael Crabtree, Jared Cook, Marshawn Lynch, Cordarrelle Patterson, and Bruce Irvin.

However, at this point in time, Oakland has around $28 million to work with.

Which means that although they may have room to make one splash – say, Trumaine Johnson – they’ll need to flesh out this roster on the cheap. They’ll need to get maximum bang for the buck by signing guys who can have a bigger impact on the field, than on the salary cap.

Let’s take a look at a few potential bargain bin free agent targets McKenzie and Gruden may want to consider…