Las Vegas Raiders: 5 Biggest contract burdens heading into the offseason
By Matt Holder
Gabe Jackson
The 2016 draft class might go down as one of the best in franchise history for the Silver and Black. Khalil Mack, Derek Carr, Gabe Jackson, and Justin Ellis were all very productive for the organization, however, only two of them have survived the three head coaching changes since then. As we transition to the 2020 season, Carr might be the only one left standing.
Jackson has battled injuries in the last couple of years and it has shown in his production. Despite missing 8 out of 32 games the last two years, the big man has allowed 10 sacks and 38 quarterback pressures. For comparison’s sake, he never allowed more than one sack and averaged 22.75 pressures per season during the first four years of his career. As far as run-blocking goes, his PFF grade in that regard has steadily declined since 2016.
Is the offensive lineman’s decline in play more indicative of his health than his actual abilities? That’s the question Gruden and Mayock will attempt to answer in the coming months.
Guard is typically viewed as the most interchangeable position along the line, and the Raiders didn’t seem to miss Jackson when he was on the mend at the beginning of the year. Obviously, this does not work in his favor and neither does his contract. Las Vegas can walk away from the six-year veteran’s contract with no dead cap if he is released before June 1st, per OTC.
If Jackson is retained, he’ll cost the organization $9.6 million. Meanwhile, Denzelle Good was recently extended for $2.3 million perhaps signally the end of the former’s tenure with the organization.