Mack Wants To Finish Career With Raiders
- Reggie McKenzie wants to sign Khalil Mack to an extension next year, and the cornerstone Raiders defender has no problem with that. Mack does not seem interested in exploring a potential path elsewhere down the line. “Of course; that’s not even a question,” Mack said, via NBC Sports Bay Area’s Fallon Smith, about wanting to stay with the Raiders for the rest of his career. “That’s a no-brainer for me, especially when you think about coming into this organization and try to build something special, that’s something you want to be a part of for a lifetime.” Given his age (26), durability, production history and the fact Von Miller‘s extension occurred during the 2016 league year, Mack is a mortal lock to become a $20MM-per-year defender and surpass his fellow AFC West pass-rushing dynamo in that department. Mack’s under contract through 2018 via fifth-year option.
Raiders Place CB Gareon Conley On IR
Cornerback Gareon Conley‘s season is over. ESPN’s Field Yates reports (via Twitter) that the Raiders have placed the first-round pick on the injured reserve. To fill his spot on the roster, the Raiders have activated defensive tackle Darius Latham from the Reserve/Suspended list.
Conley, who was taken 24th-overall in this past year’s draft, played in the Raiders first two games of the season, compiling seven tackles and one pass defended. He suffered a shin injury shortly thereafter, and he hasn’t practiced with the team since early October. Michael Gehlken of the Las Vegas Review-Journal tweets that the organization is particularly high on the defensive back, and there was hope that he could return this season and contribute. NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport notes (via Twitter) that both sides ultimately decided on surgery, with the organization hoping that the procedure will “fix the issue for good.”
Latham was suspended back in early October for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy. Despite appearing in 14 games as a rookie in 2016, the former udnrafted free agent didn’t see the field much in 2017. Prior to his suspension, Latham appeared in only one game, compiling a pair of tackles. The 23-year-old will presumably slide in behind Treyvon Hester, Justin Ellis, Eddie Vanderdoes, and Jihad Ward on the depth chart.
Decision On Gareon Conley Looms
- Rookie Gareon Conley might be the Raiders‘ most talented corner, but he has only been able to appear in two games in 2017 due to a shin injury that has taken longer than expected to heal. Per Scott Bair of NBCSports.com, Conley’s prospects for the remainder of the year will become clearer this week. If he is able to return to practice, he could work his way back into the mix. If not, Oakland will place him on injured reserve, thereby ending his first professional season.
Raiders Envision 2018 Khalil Mack Extension
Khalil Mack saw two of his 2014 draft class mates sign lucrative Raiders extensions this offseason, but like other 2014 first-rounders, the reigning defensive player of the year remains attached to his rookie deal.
The Raiders, though, plan to get serious about a Mack extension after this season. Reggie McKenzie said this week he anticipates the Raiders and Mack discussing a re-up this coming offseason, with the GM adding (via Scott Bair of CSNBayArea.com) “I hope his agent feels the same way.”
Bair notes the Raiders want this deal to come way before a deadline nears. The nearest one would be the 2019 league year forcing a franchise tag decision. The Chiefs and Broncos saw their premier pass rushers reach that point in 2015 and ’16, respectively, en route to record payouts. And the Chargers ended up playing it this way with Melvin Ingram. Both Von Miller and Ingram played five seasons on their rookie contracts, with Justin Houston playing four due to being a third-round pick. Eyeing an extension by next year, the Raiders do not envision this scenario hitting a fourth AFC West team.
Oakland is projected to hold just $14MM in 2018 cap space, but the McKenzie regime frontloading contracts affords the franchise flexibility to cut bait free of charge on some of its other deals if it seeks to create more space. With the exception of Derek Carr, Gabe Jackson and Donald Penn, none of the Raiders’ veteran contracts will have much dead-money consequences next year.
McKenzie authorized extensions for Carr and Jackson in advance of their contract years in June before stopping short of a Mack deal, one that would almost certainly reset the market for defensive players. Mack did not hold out and has continued his top-flight play. Pro Football Focus rates the fourth-year player as its fourth-best edge defender through nine games, which have featured 4.5 Mack sacks.
Mack is signed through 2018 via $13.8MM fifth-year option. The 26-year-old edge player should have a greater argument to not only become the highest-paid defensive player but do so by a bigger margin than he would have had this deal come to pass in 2017.
Miller’s six-year, $114.6MM pact came in a year when the cap stood at $155MM. Next season’s could rise to nearly $180MM, raising the price for extensions. Mack and fellow 2014 first-rounder Aaron Donald may both become $20MM-per-year defenders, but unlike the Rams’ setup, the Raiders would then become the first team to pay two players $20MM annually since Carr is signed to a $25MM-AAV accord.
It sounds like they’re willing to make that happen.
Raiders Notes: Janikowski, Bowman
A quick look at the Raiders and Rams:
- Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie says he won’t hurry Sebastian Janikowski back from injured reserve. “You don’t have to rush him back; that’s for sure. Giorgio [Tavecchio] has really stepped up to the plate.” (Twitter link via Michael Gehlken of the Las Vegas Review Journal). Janikowski w
- When asked if NaVorro Bowman could be a long-term option for the Raiders at middle linebacker, McKenzie answered in the affirmative (Twitter link via Matt Schneidman of the Bay Area News Group). Bowman, 30 in May, is playing on a one-year deal that can max out at $3MM. He’ll be eligible for free agency in March.
Giants Reinstate Janoris Jenkins
The Giants announced that they have reinstated cornerback Janoris Jenkins. It was just one week ago that Jenkins was handed an “indefinite” suspension by head coach Ben McAdoo. 
Jenkins was banned from the team when he missed last Monday’s meeting. Initially, the Giants said that Jenkins’ absence was excused. Later, McAdoo told reporters that wasn’t the case.
Jenkins’ act-out marked the second time a Giants star has publicly disrespected McAdoo. Just weeks ago, fellow starting corner Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie butted heads with the coach. He too was handed an “indefinite” suspension for conduct detrimental to the team. And, he too was reinstated after just one week. We know that DRC had some issues with McAdoo specifically, but it’s not immediately clear why Jenkins missed last Monday’s practice.
The Giants are 1-7 after a 51-17 drumming at the hands of the Rams. In the midst of a disastrous season, it’s fair to wonder whether McAdoo will be brought back for another.
In related moves, the Giants signed linebacker Deontae Skinner off the Raiders’ practice squad and waived defensive end Jordan Williams and defensive back Tim Scott. Linebacker Nigel Harris (ribs) was placed on injured reserve.
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/5/17
Today’s minor moves:
Green Bay Packers
- Promoted to active roster: CB Donatello Brown
- Placed on injured reserve: S Kentrell Brice
Los Angeles Rams
- Promoted to active roster: S Isaiah Johnson
Oakland Raiders
- Activated from injured reserve: S Obi Melifonwu
- Waived/injured: CB Demetrius McCray
Three CB's Out For Sunday's Game
- Another AFC West team is dealing with the injury bug, particularly to the secondary. The Raiders will be without defensive backs David Amerson, Gareon Conley and Demetrius McCray this Sunday, according to Michael Gehlken of the Las Vegas Review-Journal. However, he does also point out that the team will get some much needed help as rookie safety Obi Melifonwu is set to make his NFL debut after being activated from the injured reserve this week. Oakland’s pass defense has been a weakness all year and they’ll be searching for answers in new places when they take on the Dolphins in Week 9.
- In off the field Raiders news, it was announced today that the target date for the completion of the team’s Vegas Stadium will be July 31, 2020, according to Steve Sisolak, who is a candidate for Nevada Governor (Twitter link).
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/1/17
Here are today’s practice squad transactions.
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: TE Jason Croom
- Cut: TE Ryan O’Malley
Oakland Raiders
- Signed: RB Elijah Hood
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: DB Tyvis Powell
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/30/17
Today’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Promoted to active roster: LB Bryson Albright
Detroit Lions
- Signed: DE Jacquies Smith
- Placed on injured reserve: OL Tim Lelito
Minnesota Vikings
- Waived: WR Rodney Adams, C Cornelius Edison
Oakland Raiders
- Waived: RB Elijah Hood