Oakland Radiers: Offseason Marred by Outlandish Contracts for Underachievers

The Raiders have made some of the biggest splashes in the NFL this offseason. 

So far they have signed Gibril Wilson, Tommy Kelly, and Javon Walker for insane amounts of money. 

But is paying large amounts of money to undeserving players worth it?

Don't get me wrong, these players would be starters on any team, but I don't even think the Redskins would pay that kind of money.

Gibril Wilson signed a seven-year, $39 million contract this offseason. Gibril has been one of the most consistent safeties in the NFL, but is he worth that amount of money? He could be, and I think he was one of the Raiders best offseason additions.

But then there comes Tommy Kelly and Javon Walker.

The Raiders made Tommy Kelly the highest paid DL in the NFL by signing him to a seven-year, $50.5 million contract, with $18.1 million in guaranteed money.

Compare that to Corey Williams who signed a six-year $38 million deal. When it comes to production, Williams is the better player, but Tommy Kelly gets the bigger contract?

Kelly is coming off a one-sack season. A player’s contract year usually means if you produce you get paid, if you don't then maybe next time. But what does Kelly's contract teach us? If you don't produce, you get paid.

Javon Walker was signed with a six-year, $55 million contract, with $27 million in the first three years. The deal also gives Walker $16 million in guaranteed money. Now let me voice my opinion here, Javon Walker does NOT deserve this contract in any form or way.

Raiders fans: Do you really believe he is worth it?

Walker only started eight games last season. Are you ready for his numbers? 28 catches, 287 yards, and 0 touchdowns!

My last complaint about the Raiders’ offseason additions is Kwame Harris. The 6-foot-7 OL started no games last season, played in 12, and never lived up to being a starting OL.

But the Raiders signed him to a three-year, $16 million contract. Why? Those numbers are being paid for STARTING players, so why does Harris get paid without starting a game last season?

It just seems the Raiders have made it their business this offseason to pay undeserving players.

This team will be asking themselves down the road, "Where did our cap room go?"

Well, it went to players who should have never been paid these ridiculous amounts.

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