The Las Vegas Raiders find themselves in an interesting place this offseason.
While the new coach and general manager are still to be determined, they will have plenty of resources at their disposal.
The Raiders hold the sixth overall pick in the draft, while also having $94 million in cap space according to Spotrac, second to only the New England Patriots.
That type of money means the Raiders can not only re-sign their top free agents, but significantly improve their roster in the process.
However, the Raiders can increase their cap room with a few roster moves.
Bleacher Report listed three cap casualties for every NFL team, and they came up with some interesting options for the Raiders: quarterback Gardner Minshew, offensive lineman Andre James ‘and cornerback Jack Jones.
The Raiders ended up firing general manager Tom Telesco after it initially looked like he was going to keep his job,” Bleacher Report’s scouting department said on Minshew. “So it’s going to be hard to know what direction the roster will go until they decide on a new head coach and general manager. Still, it’s a pretty safe bet that whoever is in charge won’t have Gardner Minshew in the plan for the future.”
While Minshew was brought along as a veteran complement to Aidan O’Connell, he was given some run as a starter. His play did not inspire much confidence, however, throwing for nine touchdowns and ten interception while recording a 38.3 QB rating.
With O’Connell and undrafted free agent Carter Bradley on the roster, and the Raiders likely to add at least one quarterback this offseason, the writing is on the wall for Minshew at this point.
James is another Raider likely to be on another team next season, but his situation is slightly less cut and dry.
“Andre James doesn’t generate a ton of cap savings. Only $1.4 million of his cap hit would come off the books if he’s cut before June 1,” wrote the scouting department. “That number would climb to $3.2 million if they wait until after June 1, which seems more likely at this point.”
“Either way, it doesn’t feel like James will be on the Raiders roster by the beginning of next season. Rookie Jackson Powers-Johnson took over the starting center job by the end of the season, and the new regime will not have a sense of loyalty to the veteran.”
Placing one of the Raiders’ two post-June 1 designations on James would mean the team splits his guaranteed salary across the next two seasons, increasing the cap savings when a player is released or traded.
The downside to the designation is that, while James is off the team and would be free to sign elsewhere, his cap hit would remain on the Raiders’ books until June 2.
However, this means that the money saved on James would go towards free agents remaining by that point, giving the Raiders the chance to go after key depth players after their heavy lifting in free agency and the draft.
Jones had a season of highs and lows in 2024, and that could lead to the new regime deciding to move on.
“Jones was a midseason acquisition in 2023 and really looked like a success story of Antonio Pierce’s coaching regime,” explained Bleacher Report. “However, he kind of came back down to earth this season and was responsible for giving up eight touchdowns in coverage, per Pro Football Reference. $3.3 million isn’t much for a potential starter at corner, but if the new coaching regime isn’t a fan then he could be sent to the free-agent pool.”
With his biggest supporter in the organization in Pierce now out, there is a possibility for Jones to be moved. However, the decision feels like creating another hole on a roster already filled with them.
Sure, Jones showed some inconsistencies this season, but he can still be a serviceable starting cornerback. Cap space is hardly at a premium for the Raiders this offseason, so there is no reason to move on for a small amount of savings.
Whoever the Raiders decide to bring in as coach and GM, the fates of these three players will be among the first decisions made.
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