NFL Oakland Raiders

5 Biggest Salary Cap Blunders Oakland Raiders Made In 2014

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By @9erJim

5 Biggest Salary Cap Blunders Oakland Raiders Made In 2014

Preseason-Oakland Raiders at Green Bay Packer
Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

The 2014 NFL free agent market turned out to be a bust for the Oakland Raiders. Possessing nearly million in cap space, the Raiders had the room to make smart, practical free agent acquisitions. Instead, however, Oakland's front office squandered most of their salary cap on overpriced veterans and aging athletes.

If Oakland wishes to be competitive in 2015, blunders like these should be avoided at all costs.

5. Signing Tarell Brown and Carlos Rodgers

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Dwayne Bowe (82) attempts to catch the ball in front of Oakland Raiders cornerback Tarell Brown (23) in the first half at Arrowhead Stadium
John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

5. Signing Tarell Brown and Carlos Rodgers

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Dwayne Bowe (82) attempts to catch the ball in front of Oakland Raiders cornerback Tarell Brown (23) in the first half at Arrowhead Stadium
John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

Oakland was in desperate need of experienced CBs after the 2013 season. By signing Tarell Brown and Carlos Rodgers to a one-year, $ 3.5 million a piece contract, the Raiders assumed they found their answer. The former San Francisco 49ers never lived up to expectations in 2014, nor did they live up to their level of compensation. Oakland is expected to let the two CBs hit the free agent market without offering a contract extension to either one.

4. Allowing Jared Veldheer To Walk

NFL: Chicago Bears at Oakland Raiders Oakland Raiders offensive tackle Jared Veldheer (68) blocks Chicago Bears defensive end Julius Peppers (90) during the third quarter. Oakland defeated Chicago 25-20
Jason O. Watson-US PRESSWIRE

4. Allowing Jared Veldheer To Walk

NFL: Chicago Bears at Oakland Raiders Oakland Raiders offensive tackle Jared Veldheer (68) blocks Chicago Bears defensive end Julius Peppers (90) during the third quarter. Oakland defeated Chicago 25-20
Jason O. Watson-US PRESSWIRE

OT Jared Veldheer was a player you can practically build a team around. Having to sit out most of the 2013 season, the Raiders let Veldheer walk without much effort in retaining him. Veldheer was shortly thereafter picked up by the Arizona Cardinals, and he became the team's MVP at the end of last season. Being short on talent, the Raiders could have done a lot more in keeping this foundational player around a while longer.

3. Signing Maurice Jones-Drew

NFL: Denver Broncos at Oakland RaidersOakland Raiders running back Maurice Jones-Drew (21) is tackled by Denver Broncos defensive tackle Terrance Knighton (98) during the second quarter at O.co Coliseum.
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

3. Signing Maurice Jones-Drew

Oakland Raiders running back Maurice Jones-Drew (21) is tackled by Denver Broncos defensive tackle Terrance Knighton (98) during the second quarter at O.co Coliseum.
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

When Oakland signed Maurice Jones-Drew to a three-year, $ 7.5 million contract, they were hoping he would a viable backup option for the injury-prone running back Darren McFadden. However, former six-round pick Latavius Murray quickly surpassed Jones-Drew as MacFadden's immediate backup. Jones-Drew will most likely take a pay cut if he wants to stay with Oakland this season.

2. Signing LaMarr Woodley

Oakland Raiders defensive end LaMarr Woodley (58) reacts against Miami Dolphins in the NFL International Series game at Wembley Stadium. The Dolphins defeated the Raiders 38-14.
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

2. Signing LaMarr Woodley

Oakland Raiders defensive end LaMarr Woodley (58) reacts against Miami Dolphins in the NFL International Series game at Wembley Stadium. The Dolphins defeated the Raiders 38-14.
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Raiders signed LaMarr Woodley in hopes the Super Bowl champion would contribute despite being on the wrong side of 30. Not only did Woodley fail to record any sacks, he only played 6-of-16 games for the black and silver. Woodley took up nearly million in cap space last year, and is scheduled to make $ 5.1 million this season. If the Raiders should decide to cut him this offseason, he will have little effect on their salary cap situation.

1. Trading For Matt Schaub

Oakland Raiders quarterback Matt Schaub (8) warms up before the start of the game against the Detroit Lions
Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

1. Trading For Matt Schaub

Oakland Raiders quarterback Matt Schaub (8) warms up before the start of the game against the Detroit Lions
Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

When Oakland acquired Matt Schaub in a trade with the Houston Texans, many thought the transaction was a smart one, even with the high price tag of $ 8 million a year, which Schaub commanded. However, when rookie Derek Carr became starting QB last preseason, the 33-year-old veteran was delegated to second-string all year. For a second year in a row, GM Reggie McKenzie swung and missed on another overpriced veteran QB.

James Forsythe is an NFL contributor at www.RantSports.com. You can Follow him on Twitter @9erJim or add him to your network on Google.

 

 

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