Las Vegas Raiders general manager Mike Mayock has done a masterful job at keeping the roster balanced without breaking the bank.
One of team’s brass best moves this past offseason was signing safety Damarious Randall. The veteran is a commodity that came with a relatively low price tag. He’ll provide reliable depth, leadership, and experience as a starter. The latter is the most crucial of the three. Given how thin the Raiders were at safety last season, Randall’s signing was important.
Related:Â Raiders Greats Will Be Enshrined in Allegiant Stadium
Raiders: He’s A Playmaker
Cody Benjamin of NBC Sports recently ranked Randall as the Raiders’ biggest salary cap bargain. Benjamin highlighted Randall’s upside despite not being the most reliable player in his two previous stops in Cleveland and Green Bay.
“…When he’s on and healthy, however, he’s a playmaker, with 14 interceptions and almost 50 pass deflections already under his belt. He’s also got cornerback experience and is a sure bet to start most of the 2020 season opposite Jonathan Abram…”
Given the need for experienced playmakers in the defensive backfield, Randall might be exactly what the Raiders need. When you look closely at what his contract does for the team in terms of flexibility while addressing a need, the Silver and Black struck a bargain.
“His $2.1M cap hit might seem standard for a potential starter, but consider he ranks 56th among 2020 safety salaries, including behind four other Raiders safeties. That’s a bargain, regardless of whether Randall gives Vegas 12 or 14 or 16 games of playmaking in a secondary that needed a lot more of it in 2019.”
The fact that Randall is the fifth highest-paid safety on the Raiders is downright crazy, especially when you consider his possible impact. It’s also possible it goes to show to you that maybe, this is what head coach Jon Gruden wants. Veterans with chips on their shoulders looking to earn big contracts while duking it out in competition for playing time. Either way you look at it, the Raiders got quite the deal with Randall.
You May Also Like:Â Raiders Legend Believes Team Could Be Explosive in 2020
*Top Photo: David Richard/Associated Press
