Oakland Raiders interested in DT Terrance Knighton

By Cory Buck | Feb 16, 2015

Jan 11, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos defensive tackle Terrance Knighton (98) reacts to a play during the first quarter of the 2014 AFC Divisional playoff football game against the Indianapolis Colts at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

The Oakland Raiders are reportedly interested in signing defensive tackle Terrance Knighton, who could be released to free agency by the Denver Broncos.

While the Denver Broncos have some cap space entering this offseason, they have a number of top-tier players to re-sign, which could make that space a bit of a mirage. As a result, the team could lose top contributors like defensive tackle Terrance Knighton. If that happens, look for the Oakland Raiders to pounce.

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The Denver Post reports that “If Knighton reaches the open market next month, the Broncos will be hard-pressed to match a team offering, say, $30 million over five years. The Oakland Raiders are expected to pursue Knighton, and the Detroit Lions could have interest if Ndamukong Suh signs elsewhere.”

The Raiders will begin the offseason with over $50 million in cap space, which gives them plenty of room to improve their roster on multiple fronts. There are few better places to start such a rehaul than in the middle of the defensive line, where the Raiders were pushed around all season.

While Knighton is presumably a priority for the Broncos, nothing has come as a result of their success together. The Post notes, “[Knighton] said he will take less to remain in Denver, but there have been no contract talks this offseason.”

The Broncos have a shade more than $23 million in cap space, but they have to pay big money to receiver Demaryius Thomas and tight end Julius Thomas if they want to keep their offense together. That could eat up a big chunk of cap space just in those two deals. Beyond that, key contributors like linebacker Brandon Marshall and safety Rahim Moore will also need new deals if the team wants to keep them.

The Broncos were the third-ranked defense in the NFL last season in terms of yardage and much of that began with the team’s ability to stuff the run, thanks in large part to Knighton, who ranked ninth against the run among all defensive tackles.

Expect the Raiders to be major players in free agency this summer. They have a young quarterback they like in Derek Carr, which should free the team to start spending big now while their starting QB is still playing on a rookie deal. Such a revival would start with signing an anchor on defense like Terrance Knighton.

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