Lamarcus Joyner, whom the Raiders signed for big money as a slot corner two years ago and got little in return, will be released in advance of the 2021 free agency period.
Joyner, 31, signed a four-year contract worth a maximum value of $42 million and was touted by coach Jon Gruden as being similar to Ronde Barber, who starred for Gruden with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Instead, Joyner will re-enter free agency after playing in 28 games without an interception and five passes defensed. Due $9.6 million in salary, removing Joyner from the payroll will add another $8.7 million in salary cap space.
The move was first reported by NFL Media and confirmed by the Bay Area News Group by a team source.
The NFL free agency negotiating period begins March 15, with players eligible to sign with teams on March 17.
The Raiders have already released wide receiver Tyrell Williams, who also got a big contract in 2019, and a team source confirmed the pending release of guard Richie Incognito. Guard Gabe Jackson has also reportedly been released, although the Raiders have not filed any of the moves with the NFL other than Williams.
Factoring in the removal of the above players, the Raiders will have more than $16 million in salary cap space according to overthecap.com. All figures are approximate until the NFL arrives at a salary cap number with a floor of $180.5 million which could rise to $185 million or more.
Other free agency quick hits:
— Cornerback A.J. Bouye, who played seven games for the Denver Broncos last season and was released in early February, will visit the Raiders in Las Vegas. Bouye, 30, had a shoulder injury last season as well as a suspension for violating the NFL policy on performance enhancing drugs.
Bouye has served four games of a six-game suspension, so the team that signs him won’t have him on the roster for the first two games of the season. He played four seasons with the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent before signing a five-year, $67 million deal with Jacksonville with $26 million guaranteed.
The Jaguars released Bouye after two seasons and he signed with the Broncos in 2020. Upon his visit, Bouye will be the first free agent to visit the facility as visits were virtual last season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
— Carlos Dunlap, whom the Raiders passed on a year ago after being released by the Cincinnati Bengals, was released by the Seattle Seahawks.
The failure to move on Dunlap due to financial concerns gave the Raiders cause for regret. Dunlap immediately upgraded the Seahawks pass rush and had five sacks in eight games.
The Raiders, meanwhile, opted to bring aboard Vic Beasley and Takk McKinley at a cost of approximately $800,000 less than the $1.8 million Seattle paid Dunlap. Beasley didn’t record a sack and McKinley never played in a game, finishing the season on injured reserve. Both are scheduled for free agency.
— Dallin Leavitt, a safety and special teams player, was re-signed as an exclusive rights free agent.
