Why Slay went to Philadelphia, what’s up with Carr, and more
With the first wave of free agency in the books, on to your mailbag questions:
Q>> Do the Raiders have any legitimate interest or shot in a Darius Slay trade? I assume they would have to shed cap as well. Or are they just kinda waiting for the second/third wave now for bargain players? (Jeremy Adamson email)
A >> This question obviously arrived before Slay was traded from Detroit to Philadelphia for thirdand fifth-round draft picks. Yes, they had interest. But they found the price too high and weren’t excited about losing more draft picks. They made a serious run at Byron Jones, who signed with Miami. In that case, they would have paid the price but without the loss of draft capital.
Q>> What is the plan for Derek Carr? Are the Raiders claiming for a QB in the draft? (@Dodgersfn4lyfe)
A >> The plan is (and always was) for him to be the starting quarterback in 2020. If Tom Brady had come calling they would have listened. And now they have a backup quarterback with an intriguing skill set in Marcus Mariota. Considering how much of the Raiders fan base dislikes Carr, go ahead and assume there will be a huge Marcus Mariota faction forming very quickly. As for a QB in the draft, I’m inclined to think it wouldn’t be with any of the first five picks now that Mariota is aboard for this year and guaranteed $7.5 million in 2020. Maybe they’d bite if Jalen Hurts was available in the third. But he may not be. This all doesn’t even take into consideration the possibility of having much of the offseason wiped out. And the preseason. And . . . who knows? Throwing a new quarterback into a complex system in this environment is lunacy.
Q>> Who do you expect to start at safety opposite Jonathan Abram? Still another potential signing? (@MikeMayockJr)
A >> Could be another signing or a draft pick that could compete. Jeff Heath, signed from Dallas, could figure. To the delight of many fans, it could mean some snaps for Lamarcus Joyner in position groups that call for a deep safety. Don’t get too hung up on the “strong” and “free” designations, because the coaches don’t.
Q>> If the Raiders wanted Brady how come the major news outlets didn’t report Gruden offering him a contract or even trying to convince him to come? (@BrentB_28)
A >> Probably because it never came to that and was all done through agents and back channels.
Q>> How much did they pay Marcus Mariota and Maliek Collins? (Raidersince87)
A >> Mariota got a two-year contract that guarnteed him $7.5 million this season but has numerous incentives and esclators which could give him starter’s money should he move ahead of Carr because of injury or performance. Collins signed a one-year contract that will pay him $6 million.
Q>> Could you please update us on Foster Moreau’s knee progress. (@Ackeem63595895)
A >> The Raiders believe it is going well, which is what you’d expect them to say. They’re in no hurry to rush Moreau with Jason Witten around, and who knows what kind of offseason there’s going to be. It’s not like we can get a look at how the second-year tight end is really doing.
Q>> If the Raiders were able to land Byron Jones would they still have ended up with Cory Littleton as well? Also why did Byron reportedly turn down more money per year from LV? (@ Abursky)
A >> They definitely had enough cap space to get both. As for actual cash on hand, they’re not saying. They were reaching out to both simultaneously, and if both had come back yes, they would have been delighted. Jones reportedly got more upfront money over the first two years from Miami. Not getting Jones enabled the Raiders to add more players than they would have had he signed.
Q >> Why are they using Joyner as a CB again this year? He can’t cover wide receivers anymore. It seems to me FS would be the best fit. (@justwinbaby03)
A >> Be wary of a player in his first year in a new system in free agency. Sometimes Year 2 is much better. That’s what the Raiders are hoping. And as stated above, depending on how the personnel shakes out, Joyner could be available in some packages to play the deep middle if necessary. He’s done it before.
Q >> If Gabe Jackson is traded/released what would Mayock and Grudens’ plans be for a guard? Draft in third round or are they confident in current backups? Counterproductive to have an obviously weak link in the 5 guys upfront. (@conaway89)
A >> Let’s be clear — the Raiders have not publicly said they’re going to trade or release Jackson. I think a trade is at least a possibility give their desire for more draft picks and that it’s a parallel situation to what happened to Kelechi Osemele a year ago. In today’s NFL world, a $9.6 million salary coming off a subpar year (yes, it was because of injury) makes you a target. And I think they’d be comfortable with Denzelle Good at right guard. A draft pick could also compete at guard if it’s one of the first five through the third round. Gabe Jackson was a thirdround pick in 2014.
Q >> Do you expect DT Johnathan Hankins to be released and do you think they will work that $21m cap number on Trent Brown down in some awesome creative way? (@Smushcrook)
A >> Hankins was consistently praised by Gruden and defensive coordinator Paul Guenther and to my untrained eye still looks like a good player. He’ll be in rotation with Mo Hurst and Maliek Collins, or at least I think that’s the plan. As for Trent Brown’s cap number, knocking it down would mean extending the deal. More likely, they bite the bullet and leave it right where it is so he would be a more manageable release in future years if necessary.
Q >> Do they think Eli Apple will be the starter at corner? Or is the signing for depth? (@helpfight81)
A >> He won’t be handed anything. But the Raiders hope he seizes the moment and looks more like the guy who was once the 10th pick of the draft rather than the guy who was dumped inside of two years for fourth- and seventhround draft picks. He’s still only 24. That will be the mantra until they actually get him on the field and see what he can become.
Q>> Thinking draft needs: WR, CB, S, LB, OG. In that order. Agree? (@AlanSeanDavis)
A>> Looks pretty reasonable to me. But keep in mind, particularly as the draft goes on, coach Jon Gruden and G.M. Mike Mayock will be inclined to take a player they think has a legitimate shot to help immediately than take a flyer at a position of need.
Q>> Any chance the raiders trade Carr and sign Jameis Winston or draft a QB high in the draft? (@ joshtaylor918)
A>> So Gruden has spent two years with Carr, knows his strengths and weaknesses, and you think maybe he’ll get a guy who had 30 interceptions with seven returned for touchdowns last year? Call me skeptical. No matter where the Raiders draft a quarterback — if they draft a quarterback — it’s not going to be someone who they want to start in 2020.
Q>> Any money left for a WR? @ jammasterjim
A>> The Raiders signed five-year veteran Nelson Agholor (Eagles) to a one-year contract on Saturday worth a little over $1 million. That will not preclude an early draft pick on another wide receiver.
Q>> What’s up with Dion Jordan? (@foustart)
A>> Still a free agent. No need to move quickly on Jordan. I think he could still fit in, especially since they liked him more as an inside player as an outside player. Q>> Why Witten? (@Blitzchk) A>> I know bean-counters don’t like this deal. I must be getting sensitive in my old age regarding “aging” players. Don’t see how it could be a bad thing to bring Witten in with Darren Waller and Foster Moreau, two guys who are like sponges. And in a role as an extra tight end, Witten can get away without being as fast as he used to be and be a factor in the red zone. It’s not like they’re putting him at free safety like Reggie Nelson or corner like Leon Hall.
Q>> What is the consensus regarding Marriota starting at Tennessee? Was he considered a disappointment or was he just outperformed by Tannehill? I hope he pushes Carr to the next level by helping him develop the mental toughness you see in all the elite QBs. (Domingo Basillo email)
A>> When you’re the former No. 2 pick in the draft and you’re beaten out, it’s a disappointment. But he could be intriguing in this scenario. The interesting thing is he’s a terminally nice guy like Carr. It’s been suggested to me by someone I trust that Mariota may not respond well to Gruden’s style of coaching. The same thing was said about Carr.