There are two potential cap casualties from the Seattle Seahawks that the Las Vegas Raiders should take a long look at this offseason.
It’s no secret that the Silver and Black need to quickly do something about a horrid defense. The NFL draft in April will offer some intriguing options such as defensive tackle Christian Barmore and cornerback Jaycee Horn. However, the Raiders will need to add some proven talent to help new defensive coordinator Gus Bradley get off to a healthy start. In particular, there are two potential ex-Seahawks that could help Bradley. We’re talking about Carlos Dunlap and Jarran Reed, two commodities that Seattle might not be able to afford in 2021.
Per Spotrac, Dunlap is set to make nearly $10.1 million and with a cap hit of more than $14 million. For his part, Reed carries a $13.5 million cap hit in 2021 per Spotrac, the Seahawks can save lots of money if they part ways with both. Depending on how the Raiders’ financial situation looks like once free agency begins, they should consider both Dunlap and Reed.
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What can Dunlap and Reed bring to the Raiders?
Some fans hoped the Raiders would look into acquiring Dunlap last season but nothing materialized. The two-time Pro Bowler had an impact once Seattle acquired him, totaling five sacks, six tackles for a loss, and 18 pressures. Dunlap’s pass-rushing prowess could still help the Raiders despite a dip in his numbers. Pro Football Focus shows his pass-rush grade dipped from 77.8 to 62.3 from 2019 to 2020. Nevertheless, He can still get after the quarterback and has a knack for making plays and disrupting the passing game. His 62 career passes defensed back up that claim, if he’s available, the Raiders need to pick him up.
Carlos Dunlap swatted it away 👀 @Carlos_Dunlap @Seahawks
📺 #LARvsSEA on FOX pic.twitter.com/lHnTkwpDNJ
— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) January 10, 2021
The Raiders also need to help along their interior. Johnathan Hankins will be a free agent and Maliek Collins was a major disappointment, so they would surely welcome an upgrade. The Seahawks might be willing to pay to keep Reed and who could blame them, ’90’ is a promising player. He is a strong run stuffer as you can see down below, PFF grades him at 64.7 in that department.
A glaring weakness for the Raiders’ defense has been the inability to generate pressure in the middle. Reed’s amassed 17 tackles for a loss and 19 sacks in the last three years, so he could help. With 66 pressures to his name, Reed would certainly be an upgrade over Collins, but the question will come to the money, will the Raiders cough it up?
Jarran Reed wasn't about to let him have that first down 🛑 @1j_reed @Seahawks pic.twitter.com/4LcsSMYRy0
— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) October 12, 2020
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*Top Photo: Abbie Parr/Getty Images