With free agency set to begin in just a couple of weeks, the Las Vegas Raiders will be looking to make some roster improvements to help the team take the next step in Josh McDaniels’ first season with the team. As such creating salary cap space becomes extremely important before the new league begins.
Thankfully for the Raiders, they have the means to do exactly that and are already making the moves to give them the opportunity to make a couple of moves once free agency opens up. In the NFL teams often are able to restructure contracts and the Raiders have done just that in order to keep two important offensive players around.
According to Field Yates of ESPN, the Raiders have restructured the deals of tackle Kolton Miller and running back Kenyan Drake, creating $14 million in salary-cap space:
The Raiders have restructured the contracts of LT Kolton Miller and RB Kenyan Drake, creating $14.525M in 2022 cap space, per source.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) March 10, 2022
Miller, the team’s first-round pick in 2018, has started every game he’s been available since joining the team, and just last year he signed a three-year extension that lasts until 2025. The Raiders converted his $13.5 million roster bonus into a signing bonus.
Drake just joined the Raiders last season and served as a solid backup to starter Josh Jacobs. Last year Drake rushed for 254 yards and two touchdowns while also catching 30 passes for another 291 yards and a touchdown. With McDaniels known to utilize his running backs in the passing game, Drake should be a perfect fit for his offense. The Raiders converted Drake’s $5.5 million roster bonus into a signing bonus as well.
With these moves, the Raiders look to have between $32 and $36 million of salary cap room which is more than enough to make some solid signings in free agency and also potentially extend some of their own players. The team has already begun engaging in extension talks with defensive end Maxx Crosby while receiver Hunter Renfrow is also entering the final year of his contract.
Whatever moves the Raiders make they will be important as the AFC West has already gotten much stronger. The Denver Broncos traded for quarterback Russell Wilson while the Los Angeles Chargers have acquired an extremely familiar face in pass rusher Khalil Mack. This division could truly be the NFL’s best next season and the Raiders could be looking to make some big moves to keep up with what has already gone down.
