With the 2020 NFL Draft around the corner, there are some players on the Las Vegas Raiders who may be giving their roster spot away to the newcomers.
The Raiders will have seven selections in the draft, and are also going to sign players that go undrafted. Not all of them will make the final roster, but because of the finite number of players the team can carry, some veterans may lose their job to their rookie counterparts.
Here are two players that I believe may be on the brink of being cut:
Johnathan Hankins, DT
Hankins joined the Raiders in 2018 after being released by the Colts the same year. Even though the team pro-rated a part of his salary last December, they could cut Hankins and save approximately $1.75 million while eating $4.125 million in dead money. Hankins was a productive signing but facing competition from the likes of P.J. Hall, Maurice Hurst, and now the intriguing former Cowboy Maliek Collins (who some consider the steal of free agency) will make this an even tougher battle. Hankins has been solid against the run, but if Las Vegas can find younger players with more upside in the draft, the veteran defensive tackle could be a roster casualty.
Related: Raider Ramble’s top 10 linebacker prospects
Zay Jones, WR
We’ve all seen the clips of Jones and quarterback Derek Carr getting some offseason work done, but Jones may not see the field with the Silver and Black again. Last year, the Raiders gave up a fifth rounder to Buffalo in exchange for Jones to help with some wide receiver woes. He ended up playing in 10 games, caught 20 passes and netted 147 yards with no touchdowns. The team would only save $1.89 million, but after the draft, the Las Vegas wide receiver room might be crowded. Jones would have to compete with Nelson Agholor and Hunter Renfrow regardless of the newcomers.
If Jones stays for one more season, Marcell Ateman could be the one who’s shown the door. Ateman was drafted in 2018 but to this day, he has 20 catches, six starts and one touchdown to his name. So far, he hasn’t given the Raiders any indication he can be a steady contributor.
We don’t know how the draft will unfold, but based on the players the Raiders select, Harris, Jones or Ateman may have played their last down with the team.
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