3 surprising cut candidates for the Oakland Raiders

Benson Mayowa

The Raiders signed Mayowa to a one year, $1,700,000 contract this off season. Mayowa has played defensive end and outside linebacker in the NFL since 2013, playing for four different organizations. Mayowa is a talented player at a position that the Raiders desperately need, but at nearly 28 years of age, and only 13 career sacks, his spot on the roster is far from guaranteed.

The Raiders have added young talent at the defensive end position, selecting Clelin Ferrell and Maxx Crosby in the 2019 NFL draft, as well as drafting Arden Key in the year prior. The Raiders are clearly trying to build a young, fresh defensive line, as they also have drafted Maurice Hurst and PJ Hall in the previous year. The Raiders hope that Clelin Ferrell will be a three down player, and from the reports of his work ethic and leadership, he more than likely will be just that.

Benson Mayowa has a good chance of making the roster, but he is going to have to beat out some young players with high expectations to make the cut. Mayowa has never played two consecutive years for the same organization in his NFL career. He has been held back by knee injuries, being placed on the PUP list in 2016 during training camp, and missing multiple games over the years because of it.

If Mayowa is unable to push himself in practice, and the new, young talent at the position proves to be legit, Mayowa may be without a spot on the team come game time.