Oakland Raiders: 3 potential cap casualties in 2019

OT Donald Penn

When the Raiders drafted Kolton Miller in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft, it wasn’t a good sign for Donald Penn‘s future with the franchise. Now, after serving as the starter throughout his rookie campaign, Miller has officially displaced the aging, injury prone left tackle.

So what happens now with the former Pro Bowl blindside blocker? Does he make a move inside, or maybe try his luck on the right side? Probably not. Instead, it just makes more sense for the Raiders to send him packing.

There’s just no longer a need for an expensive left tackle who can’t stay on the field. Penn missed time in 2017 as well as most of the 2018 season due to injury. Set to make $7.6 million next season, it seems nonsensical to keep him around. Even if he is willing to take a pay cut, what is Penn really going to bring to the table?

The Raiders would be better off spending that money elsewhere. That way, they can seek out a more stable offensive lineman, especially with so much youth along the starting front five. Maybe target an experienced option to push Brandon Parker for the right tackle job?

Cutting Penn won’t be pain-free, as doing so would incur $2.75 million in dead cap. And yet, that’s far better than having to pay the 35-year-old tackle to spend most of the year on the sideline.