The Las Vegas Raiders made some massive strikes on the first day of free employer but additionally lost some key contributors as well. Much of the focus went on running lower back Josh Jacobs who joined the Green Bay Packers, but he isn’t the only starter who won’t be returned with the group subsequent year.
Obviously, the Raiders are looking to take that subsequent step and get lower back into playoff contention, and they have to parent out the right pieces that will assist them accomplish that goal. That often means making some difficult decisions on current players and whether or now not to hold them.
Nichols commenced all 17 video games for the Raiders remaining season and finished the yr with 48 tackles, 4 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. But with the crew including Christian Wilkins in free agency, Nichols grew to be expendable, and Wilkins ought to be able to extra than match his production.
The Raiders additionally skilled a loss on the different line as handle Jermaine Eluemunor agreed to a two-year deal with the New York Giants, via Ian Rapaport of NFL Network:
Eluemunor had been the Raiders starting proper handle over the previous two seasons and used to be exceedingly reliable on that side. But the group simply felt that there are higher picks they can convey in and weren’t inclined to pay the rate the Giants did.
There will usually be some losses in free agency, the Raiders genuinely have to believe that they are in a better position now, letting these gamers go, than they have been last year.
Raiders re-sign core Andre James in free agency
While the Raiders let a couple of starters in the trenches go away at some point of free agency, they didn’t let every body go. It was once announced that beginning core Andre James agreed to re-sign with the Raiders on a three-year deal.
Shoring up their offensive line is some thing the Raiders need to do this offseason, however they definitely sense that James is a keeper and will be a huge phase of the team’s offensive line going forward.