The entire Raiders 2014 draft class is under contract. It’s been that way for a week, after third-rounder Gabe Jackson signed his four-year deal.
The Raiders started this offseason with over $60 million in cap space and, after free agency and the draft, still have some financial flexibility. Just as Reggie planned.
Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie sacrificed to get right with the salary cap and clearly plans on staying that way. After nearly a full offseason’s activity, NFLPA documents indicate the Raiders have $10.271 million in salary cap space.
Several teams have more room, but the Raiders have the flexibility to sign a valued player before training camp or during the season, when additional transactions are often necessitated by injury. That’s worthy of praise considering how much work the Raiders had to get done after a disastrous 4-12 campaign.
They signed 11 veteran unrestricted free agents, retained four of their own, claimed receiver Greg Little off waivers and traded for quarterback Matt Schaub. They signed an eight-man draft class and continue looking for minor ways to improve the roster.
While there are unchecked items on the wish list, the Raiders accomplished several goals without breaking the bank or mortgaging the future.
