Oakland Raiders: Five veterans who could be released in 2019
By Kenny King
The Oakland Raiders released veteran tight end Lee Smith on Thursday, and while he was the first domino to fall, he certainly will not be the last.
The 2019 new-look Oakland Raiders enter the season with a completely revamped team, with only three players from the 2014 draft remaining. Those three players, Derek Carr, Gabe Jackson, and Justin Ellis, are all likely to be a part of the team in 2019.
Head Coach Jon Gruden, former General Manager Reggie McKenzie and new General Manager Mike Mayock have made an impressive overhaul of the team. Starting with a trade that sent 2016 Defensive Player of the Year Khalil Mack to the Chicago Bears, the Raiders began a rebuild for the third time in four years. That trade sparked a mass exodus of players including the trade of Amari Cooper.
In addition, Oakland released notable players like Michael Crabtree, Marquette King, Bruce Irvin, David Amerson, Sean Smith, and Donald Penn. What began with a trade of a generational talent has turned into a brand new Raiders team, and that should excite the fans heading into 2019.
Thursday, Oakland released veteran tight end Lee Smith, and there are plenty more veterans on the roster bubble this offseason. Here are five who could be the next to be released.