ALAMEDA, Calif. -- Reggie McKenzie has a plan.
Yes, even in the midst of 11 of the Oakland Raiders' 13 unrestricted free agents finding employment elsewhere this offseason, with Pro Bowl long-snapper Jon Condo re-signed and middle linebacker Perry Riley Jr. still on the market.
In fact, letting D.J. Hayden (Lions), Menelik Watson (Broncos), Nate Allen (Dolphins), Stacy McGee (Redskins), Malcolm Smith (49ers), Daren Bates (Titans), Brynden Trawick (Titans), Latavius Murray (Vikings), Andre Holmes (Bills), Mychal Rivera (Jaguars) and Matt McGloin (Eagles) all walk might actually be part of the general manager's manifesto.
Because while the Raiders were not about to get into bidding wars for their free agents -- they did want to bring back Watson, for one -- they do have a budget.
And with some $27.6 million in cap space -- but also with designs on extending the contracts of quarterback Derek Carr, defensive player of the year Khalil Mack and right guard Gabe Jackson -- there's not a lot of flexibility.
That’s why they never really got involved with defensive end Calais Campbell, took a pass on linebacker Zach Brown and are hoping for running back Marshawn Lynch to be cut by the Seahawks.
“We have a plan -- this is where we’ll play them -- but more than that, this is what we can do, contractually,” McKenzie, the reigning NFL executive of the year, said at the league's owners meetings. “If it don’t fit, it don’t fit.
“I would love to just grab any player I want. But they all can’t come for what you’re trying to put together. If it doesn’t work out, it doesn’t work out. If it does, that’s a plus. We always want to upgrade the roster. If I can add a veteran, especially a good young veteran with some talent, yeah, I would like to do that.”
There is also a new element to McKenzie’s job: He has some clarity on the whole Las Vegas situation after owners voted 31-1 to give the Raiders permission to relocate to southern Nevada.
Raiders owner Mark Davis wants to move in 2020, when a $1.9 billion, 65,000-seat, domed stadium with natural grass is expected to open.
“[Before], when we were talking to a free agent, they kind of know we want to move, but is it going to pass? They didn’t know,” McKenzie said. “Now, they know the decision was made by the league to let us move so ... now the question’s on what’s going to happen on the third and fourth year, when I become a free agent?
“Being in Vegas ... it’s not going to alter the way we draft our players. Some of the parents, agents, they’ll have questions. But nothing out of whack.”
With the offseason program to begin Monday, the Raiders still have needs at running back and on defense, particularly at inside linebacker and cornerback. And as McKenzie said, Oakland needs “numbers” on defense, even after adding outside linebacker Jelani Jenkins.
The Raiders have also signed offensive lineman Marshall Newhouse, receiver/returner Cordarrelle Patterson, tight end Jared Cook and quarterback EJ Manuel to join a team that went 12-4 and played in the postseason for the first time since the 2002 season.
“We just want to add good players,” McKenzie said. “If we feel like the veteran is better, instead of a rookie, then we’ll go after him.
“We don’t have to play [games] in March. We’ll be fine ... we’ll find a player. It’s not even over after the draft. Players are filtering through after they’re released after the draft. We always continue to try to upgrade the roster in June or July. Come September, we plan to have a really good 53-man roster.”