The Las Vegas Raiders enter their second year in Vegas after another 8-8 season.

Overall, the Raiders lost major steam towards the end of the season, again. They will try and fix this by adding veteran free agents this offseason.

However, Vegas must make many important roster decisions to free up cap space before the league new year begins in March. Bringing back some of their own free agents makes surprising salary-cap moves even more likely

Evaluating Expiring Contracts

How many players the Silver and Black re-sign will impact how many roster cuts the Raiders make.

Pending Raiders free agents include running back Devontae Booker, receiver Nelson Agholor, receiver Zay Jones, tackle Sam Young, guard Denzelle Good, Edge Takk McKinley, defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins, tight end Derek Carrier, defensive lineman Maliek Collins, linebacker Nicholas Morrow, corner Nevin Lawson, linebacker Vic Beasley and safety Erik Harris.

Agholor and Good should be the only priorities for the Raiders. Booker, Hankins, Young and Morrow may also warrant consideration at the right price. McKinley and Collins could come back to prove their worth.

Vegas could get outbid by another team for their services if they do not get more cap flexibility. Regardless, the Raiders need talent upgrades across the roster.

A New Cap For The Raiders

Vegas faces tough offseason decisions with the salary cap expected to be between $185-190 million. The Raiders are about $6 million over the projected cap. They are in the top-10 for salary next year already.

Las Vegas could see even more cap casualties should the cap fall lower than projections. Last year, the league and union negotiated a $175 million salary cap floor which is the lowest the salary cap can go. Either way, the Raiders have a few contracts they can cut with little or no dead money.

The Raiders can cut quarterback Derek Carr, tackle Trent Brown, receiver Tyrell Williams, quarterback Marcus Mariota, safety Lamarcus Joyner and guard Gabe Jackson with only $5 million in dead money. In exchange, they get $74.88 in cap savings for cutting six of their seven highest-paid players, per Over the Cap.

Not to mention, Vegas can save over $5 million by cutting guard Richie Incognito. He only played in 14 games combined the past two seasons. He is 38-year-old and coming off a torn Achilles.

This would not be a surprising move since they can re-sign Good, having drafted guard John Simpson last year.

Thus, the Raiders can make up to $80 million in cap space with limited dead money. They can re-sign their players or make a big acquisition with these added funds.

On the other hand, all those cuts are not essential.

On The Block

Cutting Carr would be stupid, not surprising. Carr is the 15th highest-paid quarterback and coming off one of his best statistical seasons. Plus, the Rams set a high price for starting quarterbacks when they gave up Jared Goff and first-rounders for Matt Stafford. The Raiders would trade Carr if they make a change at the position.

The Raiders have also been connected to DeShaun Watson. They may get connected to other quarterback rumors since many could change teams next year.

Still, Mariota looked good when he appeared with the Raiders.
They might restructure his contract but he should come back as Carr's insurance or a bridge quarterback. Mariota improved in Gruden's offense over the season.

He brings good experience and athleticism that can spark the Raiders in the red zone or when the starter goes down. The 2015 No. 2 draft pick is a good practice body given the athleticism at the position across the league too. This secures a roster spot for Mariota, even though the team re-signed Nathan Peterman.

Less Surprising Subtractions

Joyner played in 28 games the past two seasons but registered zero interceptions. The 30-year-old played all over the defensive backfield and battled thru injuries. However, the Raiders should eat his $2.5 million in dead cap for the $8.7 million in cap space. They can spend that money on another free agent DB this year.

Otherwise, Williams missed all last season with an injury. He never took hold of the Raiders' No. 1 receiver spot as he registered only 651 yards and 6 TDs in 2019. The Raiders can cut Williams for $11.6 in cap savings and no dead money. Vegas can spend that cap space on Agholor or another veteran receiver in free agency.

Cutting Williams and Joyner shouldn't come as a surprise. Those two moves give the Raiders more than $20 million in cap space with only $2.5 million in dead money.

That theoretical $20 million in cap spaces goes fast after re-signing free agents and signing draft picks. Regardless, the Raiders need to add help at edge, defensive back and receiver in the draft and free agency.

Tougher Decisions

Roster decisions get tougher for the Raiders after Joyner and Williams.

Brown played in only five games last year. He battled injuries including COVID. The year before he played in only 11 games but made the Pro Bowl. Brown is only 27-years-old.

However, the Raiders gain $14 million in cap space if they cut Brown. The tackle gives the Raiders an extra chippiness when he is healthy. Brown also won a Super Bowl with the Patriots a few seasons ago. The Raiders may restructure his deal because he is the second-highest-paid right tackle.

Backup tackle Brandan Parker looked good in a few games for the Raiders, but he also had moments where he looked very raw. He may finally step up to fill that right tackle position but who knows?

Vegas could also say goodbye to Jackson. He's been blocking for Carr for years as they are both the longest-tenured Raiders.

Jackson is 30 and the sixth highest-paid right guard. The past few years, rumors surfaced about the Raiders moving on from Jackson. He rebounded from that and continued to be one of the Raiders' most consistent players. Jackson played a full season for the first time since 2016.

Cutting Jackson would be surprising but the Raiders could gain $9.6 million in cap space.

Alternatively, the Raiders could keep Good for cheaper. Parker could also experiment at guard. He wouldn't have to worry about speed as much but he would have to get more physical. Good also contributed at right tackle the past few years.

Point is, the Raiders have flexibility on the right side. They can also draft a player at either guard or tackle. This would make keeping Brown and Jackson even less likely. Both players on the right side can get released for $23.6 million in cap space combined.

The Raiders Most Surprising Cuts

Ultimately, the Raiders need upgrades across the board. They can make more cap space by making a difficult decision upfront. The biggest surprise would be cutting both stars on the right side.

It wouldn't be surprising to see the Raiders get rid of Jackson or Brown. One of them could return if they are open to re-negotiating for a pay cut. Money across the league would be down so this could make sense for them. Both are aggressive and among the best at their position.

Jackson and Brown both playing elsewhere next year would be the biggest surprise. The Raiders would gain $23.6 million by cutting both last year's starters on the right side but they would lose a lot of stability. It would also be surprising since there are other moves the Raiders can make before they have to cut their starting lineman

Anything is possible with the salary cap going down. The Raiders are desperate to make a big splash in free agency and beyond. That means surprisingly cutting both Jackson and Brown.