National Football League

Raiders free agency preview: Who will Oakland break the bank on?

Published Feb. 24, 2015 7:57 p.m. ET

Ross Jones

The Raiders entered last offseason with the most cap room of any team and allowed young talents like Lamarr Houston and Jared Veldheer to walk, while signing veterans with chips on their shoulders. It's safe to say that plan didn't work out.

General manager Reggie McKenzie will be forced to spend as they have a massive amount of cap space and a rule in the CBA, which mandates each team spend 89 percent of their respective cap over a four-year span.

Bringing new energy to the coaching staff is Jack Del Rio. The former Broncos offensive coordinator has acted swiftly upon his arrival pushing for facility upgrades. It's very apparent that Del Rio has a plan and didn't just simply sell a scheme or philosophy.

How they finished?

2014: 3-13 -- No postseason

2013: 4-12 -- No postseason

Projected salary cap space as of Feb. 1 (per Spotrac.com): 2nd most with $50.1M

Potential free agency targets: Deciding what to do with Stefen Wisniewski is certainly a challenge. The fifth-year center finished 22nd of 32 at the center position, according to Pro Football Focus, and likely wants to be paid well above what he made last season ($978K). If they allow another homegrown talent to walk, they have options as Chiefs' Rodney Hudson and Bears' Brian De La Puente hit the free market. With the No. 4 overall pick in the draft, some expect McKenzie to select the best wide receiver on the board. How about pairing that player -- ahem Kevin White or Amari Cooper -- with a dynamic pass catching threat in Randall Cobb? The fifth-year product from Kentucky is coming off a career year, but reportedly wants to be paid $9 million a year. Defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. would also love to complement Khalil Mack with another dynamic pass rushing threat. Buffalo's Jerry Hughes, Baltimore's Pernell McPhee or Washington's Brian Orakpo could be in play. That money can go quick.

Potential cap casualties: Where to begin with this one? Matt Schaub got paid starter money to hold a clipboard. Maurice Jones-Drew showed signs of an aging veteran and nearly no production. Lamarr Woodley has a cap number of $5.18 million and did little to deserve that before going down with a biceps injury after six games.

Offseason needs: DL, WR, CB

Notable free agents:

C Stefen Wisniewski

DT Pat Sims

CB Carlos Rogers

CB Tarell Brown

WR Denarius Moore

S Larry Asante

RB Darren McFadden

WR Rod Streater (restricted)

P Marquette King (restricted)