Oakland Raiders: Top 6 Positions That Will Have New Starters in 2018
Looking ahead to the Oakland Raiders' offseason, we'll evaluate a few starters who may yield their positions to developing or incoming talent before the 2018 campaign.
With several expiring contracts on the books, general manager Reggie McKenzie will address roster voids with in-house assets and new additions.
The Raiders executive plans to offer edge-rusher Khalil Mack a new deal in the near future. As a result, expect the front office to look for bargain-bin acquisitions during free agency.
Over The Cap projects 11 draft picks for Oakland, which includes four compensatory selections. The Raiders will add depth using the extra choices.
As for the potential departures and soft spots on the roster, who's on the way out? What are the solutions for projected vacancies?
Long Snapper
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Current Starter: Jon Condo
Projected New Starter: Andrew East
Long snapper doesn't list as a starter in the box score, but it's an important position when it comes to special teams. A bad snap could cost a team three points on a field-goal attempt or cause a botched punt.
Consistency goes a long way in the transition from snapper to holder or punter. Jon Condo has handled those duties for 11 years in Oakland. After signing a one-year deal in the previous offseason, his contract will come off the books in 2018.
The 36-year-old hasn't shown a sharp decline in his specialty, but he may decide to walk away at the season's end. If so, Andrew East, who signed with the Raiders over the past two offseasons, would likely fill his position.
The 26-year-old long snapper would follow kicker Giorgio Tavecchio's pathway to a roster spot. He essentially auditioned during the offseasons.
If Condo retires, the unsigned long snapper has an inside track to a place on the 53-man depth chart partially due to familiarity with the team.
Nose Tackle
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Current Starter: Justin Ellis
Projected New Starter: Incoming free agent
Anyone familiar with Justin Ellis refers to him as a "Jelly." He comes off as a likable person in the locker room, and he shed weight to improve his mobility. Though it's helped him in the trenches, his play doesn't command a lucrative new contract. The fourth-year interior lineman will likely sign elsewhere for more cash.
We can't ignore Ellis' improvements as a run-stopper in the middle, but McKenzie has selected interior linemen in the first three rounds of the previous three draft classes. He doesn't have an issue replacing average defensive tackles.
Shelby Harris and Stacy McGee don't have Ellis' size, but they also lined up in the trenches for the Raiders once upon a time.
The team waived and signed Harris to the practice squad multiple times before ultimately releasing him in 2016. McGee flashed with 2.5 sacks in a contract year but signed with the Washington Redskins during the 2016 offseason.
It's possible McKenzie will turn to an experienced vet to mesh with a relatively young rotation on the interior. Without Ellis, defensive linemen Denico Autry and Mario Edwards Jr. list as the experienced assets on the inside.
Autry will become an unrestricted free agent in March, which leaves Edwards under team control along with Eddie Vanderdoes, Treyvon Hester, Jihad Ward and Darius Latham on the interior front line beyond the current season.
Similar to defensive tackle Dan Williams during the 2015 offseason, McKenzie may look to sign a proven run-stopper in the middle.
Middle Linebacker
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Current Starter: NaVorro Bowman
Projected New Starter: Draft pick or Marquel Lee
It's always better to let a player walk one year too early than a season too late. There's no denying what middle linebacker NaVorro Bowman brings to the defense as a run defender, but his lateral movement will continue to decline at a position that needs a budding talent, not a diminishing asset.
Bowman will turn 30 years old in May. He could serve as a mentor for the next starter at the position, but the veteran linebacker isn't the solution to the revolving door in that role.
If Bowman re-signs, he should yield the position to Marquel Lee or a high pick in the upcoming draft class. Hopefully, McKenzie finally understands he can't continue to place Band-Aids in a critical defensive spot.
The Raiders executive could emphasize Lee's development or add some competition for the starting role in April.
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Right Tackle
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Current Starter: Marshall Newhouse
Projected New Starter: Draft Pick or David Sharpe
McKenzie allowed Menelik Watson to walk away during free agency and released Austin Howard to signal a new direction at right tackle.
Despite lining up on the blind side to cover Donald Penn's absence during an offseason holdout, Marshall Newhouse won the competition on the right and started in every game he's played through the season. However, he's another veteran Band-Aid that McKenzie could peel off in 2018.
Rookie David Sharpe practiced at right tackle during the previous offseason. Don't forget seventh-rounder Jylan Ware made the active roster, but he's yet to take a regular-season snap. Vadal Alexander will also have another full summer to improve his technique.
It's possible one of the young assets may win the right tackle spot in a camp battle over Newhouse, who's a placeholder for a long-term starter. Keep in mind the Raiders won't owe the 29-year-old dead money after the first of two years on his deal.
Free Safety
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Current Starter: Reggie Nelson
Projected New Starter: Obi Melifonwu or Karl Joseph
To avoid beating a dead horse, it's been said, shown on film and critics have questioned head coach Jack Del Rio about the weakness at free safety. Through 13 games, Reggie Nelson doesn't have an interception and just two pass breakups.
The defense obviously needs some speed and playmaking ability on the back end. As Nelson's contract expires in the offseason, it's safe to say the front office will look for his replacement.
The coaching staff could prepare second-rounder Obi Melifonwu to play in his collegiate role as a deep safety. He'd also shadow tight ends. Nonetheless, Karl Joseph has the coverage skills to defend downfield in off-man responsibilities.
The decision to move Joseph over to free safety copies the Seattle Seahawks design. Earl Thomas, the smaller defender, covers deep while Kam Chancellor, a taller defensive back, takes on more responsibilities closer to the box.
It's still early, but Melifonwu doesn't exhibit the same physical mentality in comparison to Chancellor. Joseph earned a reputation at West Virginia for big hits, and we've witnessed his aggressive play in the box.
Melifonwu has the edge in starting in center field, with Joseph remaining at strong safety.
Right Cornerback
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Current Starter: Sean Smith/David Amerson
Projected New Starter: Gareon Conley
For the most part, T.J. Carrie started most games on the perimeter but also logged majority snaps as the slot cornerback. He's the versatile defensive back the front office should re-sign, but it's not a given with the market uncertain at this point.
McKenzie selected Ohio State product Gareon Conley in the first round of the previous draft. Barring an injury setback, he's going to have every opportunity to earn a starting job in the upcoming campaign.
In a small sample size, he held his own against the New York Jets and Washington Redskins before missing the remainder of the season with a shin injury that required surgery.
It's possible the front office may release David Amerson or Sean Smith—maybe both—during the offseason. As mentioned, another team may outbid McKenzie for Carrie. It's an open pathway for Conley to lead the position as the top cornerback on the roster. The secondary needs a significant makeover.
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