With free agency right around the corner, the Raiders are going to have some tough decisions to make with their own free agents. According to OvertheCap.com, the Raiders are scheduled to have 33 free agents and just over $70 million in cap space. While they will have enough to retain most of their free agents, deciding which ones to keep will be the biggest question.
With a few weeks ahead of free agency, here is a list of the top six Raiders who deserve contract extensions before the 2019 season:
TE Jared Cook
There weren’t a ton of bright moments for the Raiders in 2018, but one of them was the dramatic improvement of tight end Jared Cook. Cook set career highs across the board and finished as Pro Football Focus’ fifth-ranked tight end:
At 31 years old, Cook made the first Pro Bowl of his career (as an alternate). He finished the season with 68 receptions for 896 yards and six touchdowns. Cook averaged 13.2 yards per reception, but more impressively, he averaged 8.1 yards per reception after the catch. That was the sixth-best rate in the NFL during the 2018 season, per 360sportradar.com.
I fully expect Cook to be the highest-paid tight end in this year’s free agency class and for the Raiders to ultimately retain him. He was arguably the team’s best player in 2018 and should receive a nice extension from the Raiders in the next month.
RB Marshawn Lynch
Lynch didn’t have a fantastic season in 2018. He was injured in Week 6 and was placed on injured reserve with a groin injury. Lynch finished the season with 376 rushing yards and three touchdowns. He didn’t look as quick as he did in previous seasons, but Lynch was still as difficult as ever to bring down.
While he’s undoubtedly declined since his days in Seattle, he has shown that he can be a productive player when on the field even in the later stages of his career. In his two seasons as a Raiders, Lynch has averaged 4.3 yards per carry and 6.7 yards per reception, despite seeing his overall grade decline slightly, per Pro Football Focus:
If nothing else, Lynch is still the heart and sole of the Raiders’ offense. If he wants to continue his football career, Oakland would love to have him. If the Raiders do retain Lynch, expect it to come later in the free agency process.
DT Jonathan Hankins
In early September, the Raiders made an underrated signing by bringing in Hankins, formerly of the New York Giants and Indianapolis Colts. Hankins was signed after P.J. Hall and Justin Ellis were injured in Week 1. But he proved to be a solid signing, finishing as the Raiders’ fifth-highest graded defender in 2018, according to Pro Football Focus.
Even with Maurice Hurst and Hall likely starting in 2019, Hankins is a perfect backup as the one-technique in Paul Guenther’s defense. He is good enough to be a quality starter, but he is better off as a backup who plays 30-35 percent of snaps per game. Expect the Raiders to try to retain Hankins on a cheap one-year deal for next season.
WR Dwayne Harris
One of the most underrated signings last offseason for the Raiders was Harris. While he doesn’t offer much as a receiver, it’s his ability on special teams that make him such an essential part of this team.
In 2018, Harris averaged 14.1 yards per return, tied for the highest average in all of football. As a kick returner, he averaged 22.9 yards per return, the sixth-most in the NFL. On top of his spectacular return ability, he can also cover kicks, finishing the season with eight solo tackles.
As mentioned before, Harris doesn’t do contribute much as a receiver, but he can block and carry the ball if need be. he is a core player on the special teams unit and needs to be brought back for the 2019 season. He shouldn’t be an expensive free agent, but he absolutely deserves a contract extension.
CB Daryl Worley
Cornerback is going to be an area of need for the Raiders this offseason. Rashaan Melvin is a free agent, as is veteran Daryl Worley. But given a choice between the two, Worley is the preferred option. He played 561 snaps for the Raiders this season, 56 of which occurred on special teams, per Pro Football Focus.
At just 23-years old, Worley’s best football is ahead of him. While I fully expect the Raiders to use a high selection on a cornerback, he could be a solid placeholder as the team’s No. 2 cornerback. Worley wasn’t spectacular last season, but he deserves another season in Oakland to prove his worth.
RB Jalen Richard
Earlier, we mentioned that Marshawn Lynch deserves a contract extension. But there is another runner on the roster who may be even more deserving: Jalen Richard. In 2018, Richard set career highs in receptions and receiving yards as he became one of Derek Carr’s favorite weapons.
At just 25-years old, Richard has a lot of football left him, even if it’s just as a passing down specialist. He’s one of the best pass-catching backs in the league and is a perfect fit in Jon Gruden’s offense. Richard is a restricted free agent this spring, but expect him to return for the 2019 season.
