Five Potential Post-Draft Cuts Oakland Raiders Can Target

The Oakland Raiders have had one of their busiest offseasons in recent memory. The Raiders first signed a large free agent class including safety Lamarcus Joyner and linebackers Brandon Marshall and Vontaze Burfict. They then used their three first round draft picks in edge rusher Clelin Ferrell, running back Josh Jacobs and safety Jonathan Abram.

Overall, the 2018 Raiders are now a shell of the team Jon Gruden and Mike Mayock have put together heading in the 2019 season.

Despite the team's massive overhaul, Oakland's roster construction is far from over. With training camp right around the corner, different players from around the league, including the Raiders, will be cut. Some of those players will be well-known veterans who were forced out due to their teams finding younger, or cheaper, talent.

For the Raiders, a team that is still technically rebuilding, adding a few of those casted off veterans could be key. The team is looking to build their core on offense around Derek Carr, Josh Jacobs and Antonio Brown. Conversely, Ferrell, Gareon Conley and Abram should be focal points on defense for years to come.

If the Raiders could add veteran talent, like they did with Marshall and Burfict, to a young core, the team might be able to not only develop their young stars, but win a few more games.

As training camp gets closer and teams begin cutting down their roster, the Raiders should be aware of these potential cuts. They could become the latest members of Oakland's massive 2019 offseason.

Janoris Jenkins, Cornerback, New York Giants

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8K9n06_DIE

While most fans around the league focused on the Giants' pick of quarterback Daniel Jones, New York's selection of cornerback Deandre Baker is much more telling for the Oakland Raiders.

Not only did the Giants just select Baker, but they also took cornerbacks Julian Love in the fourth round and Corey Ballentine in the sixth. With last year's supplemental draft pick Sam Beal already in tow, the Giants' cornerback depth has only gotten deeper.

With so many holes on the defensive side, it's interesting to see the Giants take this approach. There's a chance that one of their corners ends up moving to safety, but it's also possible that one is moved.

Janoris Jenkins isn't just the oldest of the Giants' corners, but he is also owed around $10 million through 2020. New York likely isn't winning anything with Eli Manning as their quarterback, meaning they may likely be willing to cut Jenkins. If so, the Raiders should be all over him.

Conley is locked into one cornerback spot. But opposite of him, players such as Nick Nelson, Daryl Worley and rookies Trayvon Mullen and Isiah Johnson should battle among others. All have hypothetical potential - especially the rookies - but none are proven talents. Adding a veteran with a track record of success next to a growing CB in Conley would only improve the team and the young defensive back.

Last season, Jenkins started 15 of 16 games, making 70 tackles with two interceptions and 15 passes defended.Jenkins' 15 PDs ranked tied for fifth in the NFL. He has given an above average grade of 68 from Pro Football Focus and was highlighted for his coverage skills.

Jenkins is just two seasons away from being named to the Pro Bowl. Leaving the Giants, who seem to be heading in the wrong direction, to a Raiders team with upside could rejuvenate Jenkins.

The former second round pick would function as a great leader for the team's secondary. He would force teams to throw towards Conley, improving his skill while showing players like Mullen and Johnson the ropes.

Little is known about the Giants' plans these days. However, if they do cut Jenkins he fits the mold as a solid veteran the Raiders could bring in, supplementing the team's youth.

Gerald McCoy, Defensive Tackle, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAlNSTS6c-U&t=192s

It's no secret the Oakland Raiders need pass rush help. In 2018 the team had just 13 sacks, far and away the lowest in the league. Every other team had at least 30. 

By adding Ferrell, the team is attempting to bolster that measly sack total. During his time at Clemson, Ferrell racked up 27 sacks including 11.5 his senior season. 

While one side of the Raiders' defensive line is taking care of, the inside is still a mystery. Sophomores Maurice Hurst and PJ Hall should be given an opportunity while Johnathan Hankins is also lined up for a starting role. Those three combined for just four sacks, all four coming from Hurst.

The team needs a strong interior defender to pair with Hurst. Adding a veteran pass rusher to Ferrell, Hurst and left end Arden Key has the makings of a defensive line on the rise. 

Buccaneers' defensive lineman Gerald McCoy looks to be on the way out in Tampa Bay and could fit nicely with the Raiders. McCoy skipped the team's voluntary workouts, likely because of the apparent rift between team and player. 

Furthermore, there have been reports that the Cleveland Browns are interested via trade. If he is on the trade block and no team is willing to take on his $13 million salary, he could be released.

McCoy regressed a little bit in 2018, but still put up 28 tackles with six sacks and 21 quarterback hits. It was his first year since 2012 not making the Pro Bowl. Perhaps a change of scenery would allow him to return to his old ways.

If McCoy were to become a free agent, signing with the Raiders would allow him to reunite with his former defensive line coach Brentson Buckner. Buckner served as the defensive line coach for the Bucs for one season. If the two connected, that connection could lead to a reunion in Oakland.

Adding McCoy gives the Raiders a solid veteran presence at every level. McCoy up front, Burfict and Marshall at linebacker and Joyner at safety. As the team looks to build their defense of the future, having veteran cogs is key.

Adding McCoy not only would boost the team's sack total, but give the Raiders' young defensive lineman a strong veteran to gravitate towards and learn from.

Kyle Rudolph, Tight End, Minnesota Vikings

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Naf1utbIDg8

While pass rush might be the first priority, adding solid tight end is certainly high on the list of Raiders' needs. After losing Jared Cook to the New Orleans Saints, the team's depth chart is now headed by players such as Lee Smith - a blocking tight end - and Darren Waller - an athletic but unproven pass-catcher.

Adding a strong presence at the position could do wonders for the Raiders. With Antonio Brown and Tyrell Williams on the outside, the tight end could work the middle of the field and the red zone. Taking pressure away from Brown and Williams will only make them shine more.

The Minnesota Vikings reportedly took trade calls on tight end Kyle Rudolph prior to the draft. They then used a second round pick on former Alabama star Irv Smith Jr. The Vikings cap space is slim to none right now and releasing Rudolph could allow them resigning players such as Xavier Rhodes.

Rudolph currently has no dead money on his contract, meaning that if the Vikings released him, they would save over $7 million. If they truly are worried about their cap space, it seems very realistic that with his replacement already in tow, Rudolph could be a goner.

Rudolph has started all 16 games the past four seasons including a trip to the Pro Bowl in 2017. In 2018 he caught 64 passes for 634 yards and four touchdowns. He received high marks from PFF for both his receiving and blocking talents. 

Rudolph would be a perfect fit in the Raiders' offense between Brown and Williams. As the receivers spread the field, Rudolph could work over the middle gaining the tough yards. He could have a major role in the red zone as well as he has at least four touchdowns the past four seasons.

Overall, adding a tight end of Rudolph's caliber to the team's offense would only make it stronger and give quarterback Derek Carr another dangerous weapon to work with. 

Arik Armstead, Defensive Lineman, San Francisco 49ers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKOuVPGx63M

If you didn't understand two slides above, the Raiders recorded just 13 sacks in 2018. Seven different singular players out-sacked the entire Raiders team by themselves. Adding to their pass rush is key to success in 2019 and beyond.

It's likely that the team already has their starters on the outside in Ferrell and signee Benson Mayowa. That being said, the team still could add depth to the position as beyond 2018 pick Arden Key, the unit is quite weak.

The 49ers traded for Dee Ford and drafted Nick Bosa, forming a dominant duo of edge rushers. With both of them in tow, Arik Armstead now appears to be out of a job. At $9 million, it's unlikely that the team holds on. If San Fran does let go, it'd make sense to bring Armstead in to see if he can be the player many thought he would be prior to the 2015 draft.

Last season, Armstead started all 16 games, making 48 tackles, three sacks and 12 QB hits. He was given an above average 75 grade from PFF and lauded for his pass rush.  Armstead showed potential given a full season to perform.

The former Oregon Duck was a favorite of Mike Mayock back in 2015. The Raiders' GM ranked him as the 14th best prospect and second best defensive end in the class. Mayock also had Armstead going 15th overall to the Niners in his yearly mock draft. 

Armstead is just 25 years old. In Oakland, he would be given another chance to shine, even as a rotational player. There's a chance he would be able to live up to his draft capital with a change of scenery.

Even if he does struggle, the Raiders would be signing a former first rounder for pennies on the dollar. If he is released it would be tough not to give him a chance.

As a former Mayock favorite it's likely the Raiders would have interested. If Armstead is available the team has to take a look as they try to improve their tepid pass rush.

 Dre Kirkpatrick, Cornerback, Cincinnati Bengals

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDXtWjVU2A0

Dre Kirkpatrick is arguably the most underrated player on this list. In 2018 he started all 13 games he appeared in and racked up 41 tackles and nine passes defended. Most importantly, he allowed the lowest catch rate in the league at 44%.

With the Bengals undergoing a rebuild of their own, there is a chance that Kirkpatrick is let go at some point this offseason.

He’ll count a shade under $11 million in 2019. Marvin Lewis is gone, and Cincinnati’s rebuild under Zac Taylor will likely mean Kirkpatrick follows him. The Bengals have to take some big moves to wash the taste of a rotten 2018 finish from their mouths, and jettisoning their fourth-highest paid player could be the next one. - Christian d'andrea, sb nation

The Bengals cornerback room isn't filled with talent but they do have two strong corners in Darqueze Dennard and William Jackson. They have already re-signed Dennard and with an extension likely coming for Jackson, they might not have room to afford Kirkpatrick.

Kirkpatrick was another favorite of Mayock, being ranked 27th overall and the second best cornerback overall heading into the 2012 NFL Draft. 

Pairing Kirkpatrick with Conley would give the Raiders a young cornerback core to build around. Add in Joyner and Abrams behind them and the secondary begins to look pretty dangerous. 

Kirkpatrick's limited catch rate shows his potential as a CB1 on the Raiders. He would improve Conley as more teams would have to throw his way and overall just improve the secondary. 

Kirkpatrick might be underrated now, but if he keeps allowing minimal completions towards him, he is going to make a name for himself. The Raiders should pounce now before his contract gets out of hand.