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3 Contract Extensions the Raiders Need to Prioritize

By Scott Rogust

The Raiders need to prioritize locking in these three players to contract extensions.
The Raiders need to prioritize locking in these three players to contract extensions. / Jack Thomas/Getty Images

The Las Vegas Raiders have been built the image Jon Gruden envisioned since taking the head coaching job in 2018. Their roster is filled out with a variety of young players, thanks in part to the draft picks they acquired in the trades of Khalil Mack and Amari Cooper. The youngsters are locked in for the foreseeable future, but there are plenty of players that are set to hit the open market in the next two years.

Here are three players that general manager Mike Mayock should give a contract extension in the near future.

3. G Jordan Devey

Jordan Devey is a good swing option for the Raiders.
Jordan Devey is a good swing option for the Raiders. / Justin Casterline/Getty Images

The Raiders snatched offensive guard Jordan Devey from the Kansas City Chiefs last year as a backup. But Devey was called to action early, as he started in place of Gabe Jackson for the first four weeks of the season, until he was placed on season-ending IR last October due to a torn pectoral muscle. Las Vegas opted to sign him to another one-year deal this offseason in a move based solely on continuity. There's a chance that Devey will see some starting snaps this season, just in case either Jackson or Richie Incognito were to go down with injury. If he impresses, then Mayock should get him under a new deal before the year ends.

2. OT David Sharpe

David Sharpe is one of the few pre-Gruden Raiders to remain on the team.
David Sharpe is one of the few pre-Gruden Raiders to remain on the team. / Abbie Parr/Getty Images

Once Gruden entered the fray for his second stint with the Raiders, he cut ties with many of the players from the Jack Del Rio era. One of those was offensive tackle David Sharpe. However, he brought him back and the big man has proven to be a good insurance option on the O-line. The Raiders' chances of winning increase once they establish the run with Josh Jacobs. So why would Gruden and Mayock let members of their impressive offensive line unit walk to the open market? Sharpe appeared in 19 games the last two seasons, so he's clearly a key backup. Best to keep him in the silver and black before he becomes a free agent after 2020.

1. DT Maurice Hurst

The Raiders need to keep Maurice Hurst.
The Raiders need to keep Maurice Hurst. / Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images

Former Michigan defensive tackle Maurice Hurst was expected to be a first-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. However, the interior defensive lineman was diagnosed with a heart condition during the pre-draft process, causing his stock to plummet. That didn't stop the Raiders from taking a risk on him in the fifth round, and it truly paid off. Hurst really began putting it all together in his sophomore season, in which he tallied 18 combined tackles, 12 quarterback pressures, 6 quarterback hurries, 3.5 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries, and one interception in 16 games. Hurst's rookie deal runs out at the end of the 2021 season, but if he continues his impressive play, the team may opt to get him under an extension.