5 things Raiders fans should be thankful for in 2018

OAKLAND, CA - AUGUST 24: Arden Key #99 of the Oakland Raiders celebrates after he sacked the quarterback against the Green Bay Packers during the second quarter of an NFL preseason football game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on August 24, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - AUGUST 24: Arden Key #99 of the Oakland Raiders celebrates after he sacked the quarterback against the Green Bay Packers during the second quarter of an NFL preseason football game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on August 24, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
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OAKLAND, CA – SEPTEMBER 10: Cooper Kupp #18 of the Los Angeles Rams is tackled by Reggie Nelson #27 of the Oakland Raiders during their NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on September 10, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – SEPTEMBER 10: Cooper Kupp #18 of the Los Angeles Rams is tackled by Reggie Nelson #27 of the Oakland Raiders during their NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on September 10, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

The Expiring Contracts

Oh the expiring contracts.

The Raiders have some players coming off the books at the end of the season that should never wear the Silver and Black again. You can be sure that Gruden is going to continue to blow this roster up, and after this embarrassing season, nobody is going to be safe from his wrath.

This offseason, guys like Reggie Nelson, Rashaan Melvin, Doug Martin, and Leon Hall will be coming off the books, and the Raiders should have a ton of cap space. In fact, according to spotrac, the Raiders rank fifth in the league in cap space this upcoming offseason, as they have nearly $80 million dollars to spend.

There are going to be a ton of good players available in free agency this offseason, and the hope is that Gruden can still draw players to come play for him. This season was a real shocker in terms of the team’s record, but brighter times are coming, and the Raiders have a ton of money to get this roster right next Summer.

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