Of course, general manager Reggie McKenzie and the front office will try to avoid overspending and putting themselves in the same hole they just worked to get out of, but changes do need to be made in short order.
According to Over the Cap, the Raiders currently sit $66 million under the NFL salary-cap number recently set at $133 million.
That $66 million figure is easily more than any team in the NFL, and it gives the Raiders an advantage they can certainly use on the open market.
Although, even before free agency gets underway, the task of re-signing some of the team’s own free agents will be the focus, with left tackle Jared Veldheer and defensive end Lamarr Houston being the top priorities.
In any other year, considering the contracts they could demand, the re-signing of both Veldheer and Houston could prove to be a difficult task.
However, with so much money available against the cap, and the franchise or transition tag available for use, there is no reason why both shouldn’t be in silver and black in 2014.
The argument can be made that less expensive options for at least one of the two players could be added in the draft, and possibly even in the first round at fifth overall. However, avoiding the creating of even more roster needs by re-signing the homegrown, proven talent is the better option here.
If the Raiders can get those two long-term deals done in the coming days, as well as a few other key players like Charles Woodson and Rashad Jennings, they can then turn their attention to the other free agents around the league set to be available.
There, the Raiders should have the ability to sign some of the top players available and will certainly be linked to man...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Oakland Raiders
