By making the painful decision to oblige Maxx Crosby’s wishes to be traded, the Raiders wiped their slate clean as they approach a new rebuild.
The emotions surrounding Crosby’s trade to the Ravens on Friday ran rampant throughout their building and their passionate fan base. Crosby was the heart and soul of the Raiders on and off the field. He’s as close to an irreplaceable player as there is in sports.
But for the sake of the franchise, it was absolutely the right move. As painful as it is to say goodbye, there is also an undeniable rush of excitement as the club prepares to rebuild essentially from the ground up.
Moving Crosby greatly improves the resources they have to create a far better life without him. They now own 11 draft picks this year, including the first and 14th overall. With most of those picks at or near the top of all seven rounds, the Raiders have the most draft capital in the NFL.
The removal of Crosby’s contract, the addition of longtime Bills cornerback Taron Johnson via trade and the release of quarterback Geno Smith, which becomes official when the NFL’s new league year begins Wednesday, means the Raiders will have roughly $119 million in cap space. That, too, is the most in the NFL.
It doesn’t guarantee a quick turnaround, or that general manager John Spytek and new coach Klint Kubiak will hit on all their decisions this offseason. But no one is set up better to make a big splash in free agency and the draft than the Raiders.
As free agency opens Monday, here is where the Raiders stand:
LB Jamal Adams, WR Alex Bachman, LS Jacob Bobenmoyer, K Daniel Carlson, T Stone Forsythe, CB Darnay Holmes, S Lonnie Johnson Jr., DE Malcolm Koonce, WR Tyler Lockett, RB Raheem Mostert, G Dylan Parham, QB Kenny Pickett, LB Jon Rhattigan, LB Elandon Roberts, CB Eric Stokes, TE Ian Thomas, LB Devin White, RB Zamir White.
DT Thomas Booker IV, OL Jordan Meredith.
CB Kyu Blu Kelly, CB Tristin McCollum, OL Will Putnam, DE Charles Snowden.
Source: California Post – Breaking California News, Photos & Videos
