The Las Vegas Raiders hope free agency can help them get over the hump. They need a great team for their Allegiant Stadium (fans in the house) debut. The brand new stadium did not open for fans last season. It's also Jon Gruden's fourth year as head coach so his seat gets even hotter.

Regardless, the Raiders are about $7 million over the projected cap. They can get below that by releasing defensive back LaMarcus Joyner, per reports. Vegas can create even more cap space by trading backup quarterback Marcus Mariota.

Mariota has been on the block due to his $10 million cap hit and the Raiders' continued commitment to quarterback Derek Carr.

Las Vegas can add even more cap space by making difficult decisions along the offensive line. The Raiders can release guard Richie Incognito for $5 million. Vegas drafted John Simpson last year to replace him.

They can also let go of tackle Trent Brown. Brown missed a lot of games with various injuries. They can cut him to save $14 million in cap without taking on any dead money. Gabe Jackson also has a $9.6 million cap hit that can be released without any dead money consequences. The Raiders could re-sign Denzelle Good for less.

The point is, the Raiders can make plays in free agency with a few minor cap moves. Las Vegas is still developing several high draft picks from the past few seasons. That is why they should add veteran leadership and abilities to their many roster needs.

However, there are some players not worth the splurge. Here is who the Raiders should avoid when Free Agency opens this month.

Raiders Avoidance List: Guard Brandon Scherff

Raiders fans might know that Scherff is a four-time Pro Bowler who hits the open market after his first All-Pro season and just before age 30. He played in 13 games last season which was the most since he played 14 in 2017. He also brought his penalties down to three in the entire season, after registering nine the season before.

The 2015 No. 5 pick received the franchise tag from the Washington Football Team last season. He played on a short-term deal that paid him top-5 money for his position. This season he would cost an $18 million cap hit if Washington decides to use that designation on him again. A longer-term deal would be more beneficial for Scherff. It could also save Washington some cap space.

On the open market — the Raiders might be thinking about this — Scherff could net himself a contract between $12-15 million a season. The Washington Football Team also ranks fifth in cap space so they can bid for his services if they let him hit the open market. That means Scherff is headed for a major payday regardless.

Scherff could be an upgrade at either guard position if the Raiders let Jackson and Incognito walk. He graded out as the fourth-best guard in football, per Pro Football Focus. Scherff also brings the size and college experience to play right tackle.

He could anchor the right tackle spot if the Raiders move on from Brown. Scherff is athletic and plays physically enough to be an ideal fit for the Raiders with or without Brown and Jackson.

Nonetheless, adding Scherff doesn't solve any of the Raiders' defensive problems.

The Raiders invested a lot by splurging on the offensive line in the past. Jackson, Brown and center Rodney Hudson are among their highest-paid players. It seems counter-productive to let Jackson and Brown go for cap space if you bring in another highly compensated lineman. The Silver and Black are better served drafting a young player at guard and tackle. Las Vegas needs whatever cap space they can create to build a competent defense. Their needs for playmakers on the edge and secondary are too great to spend tons on an offensive lineman.

It does not matter how great Scherff plays or how much he is worth. The Raiders should say no and focus on adding players to their defense.

Linebacker Lavonte David

There's been a lot made about David's contributions to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' championship game this past season. Raiders fans are probably aware of the fact that David brings great coverage skills, athleticism and leadership to whatever defense signs him in free agency.

Las Vegas could use David's coverage skills and leadership on their defense. The Raiders defense gave up the seventh-most passing yards and the ninth most rushing yards last year.

However, the Raiders already invested heavily in the linebacker position last year during free agency. The results are mixed on last year's free agency linebacker acquisitions Nick Kwiatkoski and Cory Littleton. Both battled inefficiencies and injuries at some level. They have a combined cap hit of over $21 million for this upcoming season.

Letting both backers go costs the Raiders about the same in dead money. The Raiders are better off giving Kwiatkoski and Littleton another year, this time under new defensive coordinator Gus Bradley. Thus, they can't afford to splurge on David.

Moreover, the Raiders have bigger needs in the secondary and defensive line. They could take the $10+ million they would spend on David and give that to a high-profile safety or edge rusher. Vegas could also spread that money around by signing multiple quality veterans throughout the levels of their defense. They desperately need leadership and playmaking ability throughout their defense.

Unfortunately, that means passing on the athleticism and championship experience David brings. Las Vegas' needs are bigger than linebackers since they just spent lots of money at the position in the last free agency period.

The Hard Truth

Ultimately, the Raiders probably won't splurge on any tier one free agents. They don't have the cap flexibility to sign a marquee free agent, unless a player really wants to take less to come to Vegas. It is more likely that the Raiders spread what salary cap room they can create to various high-upside veterans.

The Raiders have too many needs on defense to splurge on any one position. It is hard to see them signing a high profile guard or linebacker when they've already spent money at those positions the past few years. They must use whatever cap space they have to sign edge rushers and defensive backs since that is their most glaring weakness.