The Raiders narrowly missed the playoffs in 2020, and their defense was largely to blame for that. The unit finished near the bottom of the league in terms of total defense and points per game, and Vegas hopes that new defensive coordinator Gus Bradley and an influx of new talent will lead to an improved showing in 2021.
As Vic Tafur of The Athletic writes, the Raiders can free up about $48MM of cap room with a series of cuts that shouldn’t be too difficult to make — they already plan to release WR Tyrell Williams — and they can allocate some of those funds (along with the No. 17 overall pick, perhaps) to the defensive side of the ball. One of the players that is expected be let go is defensive back Lamarcus Joyner.
Indeed, Tafur says “there is no way” that Joyner, 30, will return to the team on his 2021 salary of $9.6MM. Releasing him would save Vegas about $8.7MM in cap space, and when one considers the value of that space versus Joyner’s performance over his first two years in the Silver-and-Black, it stands to reason that the Raiders would want to part ways.
GM Mike Mayock signed Joyner as an unrestricted free agent in March 2019, giving the former Ram a four-year, $42MM contract. That did not turn out to be one of Mayock’s better decisions, as Joyner — who primarily played safety with the Rams but who has become Vegas’ top nickel corner — has generally struggled. As Tafur candidly remarks, Joyner has “made like five plays in two seasons,” and Pro Football Focus is not much higher on him. The advanced metrics ranked the Florida State product as the 89th-best CB in the league in 2020, out of 121 qualified players. While player and team could theoretically come to terms on a pay cut, Tafur says that doesn’t seem overly likely either.
In Tafur’s estimation, Mayock should use the No. 17 overall selection on one of this year’s top collegiate pass rushers while using some of his free agent dollars on an established safety like Denver’s Justin Simmons.
Richard Sherman opening, and Earl Thomas in Free Agency
No thank you. They may as well keep the guys they already have that can’t play.
Two of the best in their positions from the past decade. Both still good enough to make plays and be leaders. Would be great to pair these two with Abram and Arnette.
You’re talking past production though. Neither are what they were, but I’m sure they’ll want paid as nearly what they were.
Also Earl Thomas isn’t a leader. He flipped off a former coach, punched a teammate and doesn’t seem to be a very good human. Baltimore literally told him to go away, not needed or wanted. That speaks volumes.
Clearly you don’t watch raiders Mullen is our best corner so it would be Mullen and Sherman. Arnette has been a injuried most of last season and primarily played slot when joyner stunk.
This is also a good point. Arnette was a gigantic, unexplainable reach. He’s probably going to be a bust based on where he was selected.
Outlaw you are correct. Raiders have 1 hit in first round with jacobs under gruden. They need to over haul the scouting department desperately.
2020
Ruggs looking like a bust
Arnette played so little hard to say
2019
Ferrel bust
jacobs pro bowler
Abhram inconsistent and injuried
2018
Kolten Miller inconsistent starter due to lack of depth
The larger body of work also looks pretty bad when you look at draft classes on the whole. For every maxx crosby and trayvon Mullen and mo hurst there’s a pj hall, brandon parker, Arden key, Lynn Bowden. The picks that turn out well are known players the reaches so far turn out to be the guys no one heard of and don’t make team.
Their draft record is incredibly bad, and I’m not sure if that is Mayock or Gruden’s influence. I lean towards the latter.
They too often seem to fall in love with certain players, and they’ll waste picks with the reaches. The Ruggs selection drove me nuts. Awful. They passed on some really talented WRs and/or defensive help.
When you realize you could have had lamb or jeudy and took the speed guy I lost my mind. Lamb was the best wr in draft especially that late. Like you said I’m no gruden hater but he and mayock are worst than reggie mckenzie was and that’s saying something. Here’s hoping we get it right this year
I also really wanted Lamb. I was really high on Shenault, too. I wouldn’t have hated Jeudy, but Alabama WRs scare me. Taking Ruggs was a total waste though. In hindsight, there were 5 or 6 names at WR that had better rookie years. Lamb was highly ranked at that time though and should have been the selection.
It felt like Heyward-Bey all over again.
There is an enormous flaw on their draft grading. As you said, Jacobs has been the only hit. I blame Gruden because I want to believe a guy (Mayock) who spent years grading prospects would know what he’s doing. Maybe not? They can’t keep missing on picks, though. It’s too expensive to build a winner via FA. That’s really been their Achilles heel.
Forget which school guys went to. Take the appropriately talented player for the draft slot.
Clelin Ferrell Has not been a bust maybe not worth the 4th pick bust still not a best
You two are both right, firstly I don’t watch the Raiders. Secondly Arnette was a reach but I still think he can turn it around hasn’t had much game time or luck with injuries. As for Sherman and Thomas tho, I don’t think either player wants top top dollar, Sherman likes the defensive system you guys play and has already spoken with Gruden about joining. I just though Earl Thomas, Sherman’s former teammate on the Seahawks and both were all decade defenders would also be a good addition. I think he was abit toxic in Baltimore but in Vegas it would be a totally different situation and he would have just sat a year out so he will be ready and wanting to prove people wrong. He wouldn’t be on an elite defence like he had in Baltimore he would be on a young defence with his pal Sherman and they would be trying to help the young guys develop and win games. Having two very accomplished vets like these two would serve as leaders in the fact that the young guys (busts as you put them) would look up to these guys and train with them every day and try play to their standards.
To me it’s a risk worth taking. Cause if it goes wrong, Thomas probably causes some drama and you can cut him, your defence probably continues to not be amazing and yeah. But if it goes right you have two really good vets helping bring the best out of these prospects you guys have already written off. That potential of success and just potential of turning these kids around is worth it. You’d sign Sherman first to a average deal and then approach Thomas. Say hey he’s an opportunity, we have your pal Sherman here come and help. Have a two year deal only 1 year guaranteed and the second year a lot better than the first. Meaning if he doesn’t act up, he’s probably playing really well and you get him for another year. If he acts up he’s out and it doesn’t cost an arm and a leg
Simmons I agree with you about sherman. I think he is a great locker room guy and someone while past his prime he can really be a great on field coach. He brings fire and toughness as seen by his time with Seahawks and niners. I think thomas is a reach though after all he has been through I don’t think he makes much sense especially after ab fiasco. Last thing raiders need is another head case
Raiders biggest need is better pass rush on line and line backers that are actually good. Littleton was supposed to be a great addition and looked lost and had an overall terrible season, showed he was more a product of coach than on field skill. He will be cut if he has another season like last year. Overall have no idea what raiders can do but they need a defense overhaul, it seems like we haven’t had good defense since early 2000’s
I agree it’s a big risk especially with AB situation but Thomas has had a year out and you’d be telling him how it’s going to be. Don’t take any risks on the contract. I’d say first year guaranteed 5mil, and second year worth $$10mil not guaranteed. If he plays up he’s gone but if he’s good you have him for two years at 7.5 per season. Which is cheap as chips for a pro bowl level player like him
Your not wrong I’d like to think bradley could bring the best out of him as a player. Especially if cheap
I’d be okay with Sherman if it was below a certain price point. I feel he’s lost a step. Perhaps you’re right that he could teach?
Thomas is still a hard pass for me. There is nothing that would change my mind there.
Yo I completely agree! I have been saying this since we hired Gus! Sherm and Earl would be the perfect 1-2 year vets to sign as our leaders/alpha males! Not only to teach the scheme to our young players but also to hold them accountable. We have 0 alpha teacher leaders. It doesn’t get any better than Sherm and Earl leading and teaching the defense they both flourished in. I think Earl was just not feeling the scheme in Bmore that’s why he bugged out. I also want Leonard Williams as our d line leader/teacher. Draft DT, S, G, T, and LB and not in that order. I believe this would give us the best chance at becoming a more balanced playoff team. Thoughts anyone?
The Raiders have put themselves in this conundrum by giving Gruden a 10 yr contract. The contract gives him a lot of influence in personnel decisions and he doesn’t really have a track record to justify it. He is better at veteran reclamation projects than he is at identifying college talent. That was true in Philly, his last stop with the Raiders, and in TB. As a sustainable roster building move, signing Sherman and Thomas is probably a bad idea. However, given the team’s draft history, it may be the right move. It is definitely high risk – high reward. Defensive backs generally don’t age well.
Thomas is a cancer anymore. Has been for three years
I do not think the new General Patton of Denver is going to let Justin Simmons go.
Raiders trying to make cap space in free agency by cutting few players
Justin Simmons isn’t going anywhere
Classic GM over reach by Blaylock. The guy played Safety so they move him to Nickel Back. Why experiment? He was a decent S and then you forced him into a position of need but one that he was not going to do well in. Guess what? He sucked in that role. He’s a Safety so let him play Safety.
You have no idea what you are talking about. You can’t declare a player a bust after they played one season, especially a season lie 2020 with no training camp.
Miller – solid LT – starter for next 5-8 years.
Ferrel – improved drastically in 2020 (despite crazy conditions. Is PFF’s #16 DE for 2020 (sacks are not everything) and will be cornerstone of D and Captain for years to come.
Jacobs 2 -1000 yds seasons and best it yet to come.
Abrams – Basically just played rookie season under Guenthers fireable leadership and overcomplex system and couldn’t even practice due to Covid protocols most of season.
Ruggs – made an impact and was #3 option behind Waller and FA acquisition Agholar. He will be a stud for years to come (look at Tyreke Hills first year stats)
Arnette – Played the whole season with broken hand (cause he competes like a dog) He will be a starting corner for years. See Abrams explanation.
@Tatsumaki You have no idea what you are talking about. You can’t declare a player a bust after they played one season, especially a season lie 2020 with no training camp.
Miller – solid LT – starter for next 5-8 years.
Ferrel – improved drastically in 2020 (despite crazy conditions. Is PFF’s #16 DE for 2020 (sacks are not everything) and will be cornerstone of D and Captain for years to come.
Jacobs 2 -1000 yds seasons and best it yet to come.
Abrams – Basically just played rookie season under Guenthers fireable leadership and overcomplex system and couldn’t even practice due to Covid protocols most of season.
Ruggs – made an impact and was #3 option behind Waller and FA acquisition Agholar. He will be a stud for years to come (look at Tyreke Hills first year stats)
Arnette – Played the whole season with broken hand (cause he competes like a dog) He will be a starting corner for years. See Abrams explanation.