Friday morning two big dominoes fell with Washington cutting Josh Norman and Paul Richardson. They are expected to be the first of many cap casualties this offseason. The Raiders could have a few as well.
Today, NFL.com put out a list of the players they see as being the most likely cap casualties. Some seem more likely than others. For instance, Norman and Richardson were on that list. Among the many remaining potential cap casualties, there are quite a few who, if released, could be of particular interest to the Raiders.
Tyrone Crawford, DL, Cowboys
The 6-4, 290-pounder could make for an ideal three-tech interior pass rusher. He could even pop outside from time to time. That’s what he did for the Cowboys the past seven years, putting up 4-5 sacks per season with regularity as a full-time starter. That’s why he’s the sixth highest-paid player on the team, making $9.1 million. Cutting him would save the Cowboys $8 million.
Xavier Rhodes, CB, Vikings
Few players would make a bigger splash in the market than Rhodes. He was a Pro Bowler this past season – his third – and he was an All-Pro in 2017. The 29-year-old former first-round pick is an elite NFL defensive back who would be an upgrade in most NFL secondaries.
AJ Bouye, CB, Jaguars
Six interceptions in 2017 had him in the Pro Bowl. A contract that pays him $15.4 million this season could have him cut. But make no mistake, the 28-year-old is a damn good corner who has 14 career interceptions and 66 career pass breakups.
Sammy Watkins, WR, Chiefs
The former fouth-overall draft pick has been wildly inconsistent in his career. Or more accurately, he’s been consistently frustrating. Mainly because he shows he has elite talent in flashes and then disappears for long stretches. Case in point; he opened last season against the Jaguars catching 9 passes for 198 yards and 3 touchdowns. Then he went the rest of the season without another touchdown and topping out at 64 yards.
Once the Chiefs entered the playoffs, he had games of 76, 114, and 98 yards with a touchdown in the AFC Championship game. Where was that the rest of the season? Still, he’s just 26 years old and even an inconsistent receiver would be a welcome addition to this Raiders offense.
Marqise Lee, WR, Jaguars
Remember him? He had 851 yards and 3 TD’s in 2016 and 702 yards and 3 TD’s in 2017 which earned him a 4-year, $38 million deal from the Jaguars. He summarily suffered a knee injury that cost him the entire 2018 season and then another six games into the 2019 season.
Lee was a forgotten man last season in Jacksonville even before the injury, catching just three passes for 18 yards. He won’t be earning the $8.75 he was scheduled to make from the Jaguars this season but some team will give him a shot to see if he can get healthy and return to form.
