Las Vegas Raiders: 5 Biggest contract burdens heading into the offseason

Tyrell Williams

One of Las Vegas’ biggest needs heading into 2020 is wide receiver. As a whole, the position group failed to produce last year and a big reason is the unit lacked a true number one target. After the Antonio Brown debacle, the hope was Tyrell Williams would rise to the occasion but he did not.

Hampered by a lingering foot injury, the free-agent signing only managed to accumulate 651 receiving yards which ranked 61st overall in the league. Plantar fasciitis, the ailment that plagued the wideout, can heel with time off but he has never been and has yet to prove that he can be the number one option.

Per Over The Cap, Williams is set to make $11.1 million this upcoming season which puts him in a category with Adam Thielen, Keenan Allen, and Larry Fitzgerald in terms of compensation. Luckily for the Raiders, the team can walk away from Williams’ contract with zero dollars in dead money if he is cut before February 5th. That’s awfully tempting for a guy who is getting paid like a top target but isn’t playing like one.

Moving on from the pass-catcher after one season might be a bit dramatic. After all, he was productive when healthy at the beginning of the season, and the team already has about $55 million in cap space to spend, so it’s not like there is a shortage of funds. However, bad investments are how teams underachieve and so far, Williams hasn’t lived up to his contract.

Time will tell but a strong wide receiver class in the draft could be enough to push the veteran out.