Oakland Raiders release Dan Williams

The Oakland Raiders have released Dan Williams per Field Yates of ESPN.

Considering the timing, during offseason workouts, it could be that Dan Williams came in over weight. That’s omething he did during OTAs last year and his 2016 production suffered for it. There were also reports the Raiders also checked his weight back in February as well, and it’s been an issue that Williams has had his entire career.

Then there is the cap angle. By releasing Williams the Raiders save $4.5 million in this years draft. With rumors that the Raiders will extend Derek Carr and Gabe Jackson, plus the possible addition of Marshawn Lynch, the Raiders could be very well looking for extra cap room.

This could really alter the Raiders’ 2017 NFL Draft strategy

This news comes as the Raiders are gearing up for the draft. Now they might have to alter that as the Raiders have now lost their second starting defensive tackle in back to back months. Stacy McGee, who had a breakout year in 2016, signed as a free agent with the Washington Redskins last month.

The Raiders had their best season in over a decade at 12-4. But the downside of that is they pick at number 24. It won’t be the first time that Reggie McKenzie has had a late draft pick. In 2012, the first pick he had was in the third round. Of course, that was his first year drafting for the Raiders, and pick 24 is nothing like the third round. However it will be interesting to see how the Executive of the Year deals with this new wrinkle.

Next: Oakland Raiders 7-round 2017 mock draft

Luckily this draft class is very deep defensively, because the Reggie and the Raiders need all the help they can get on that side of the ball.