The Raiders locked up Derek Carr last week, signing their franchise quarterback to a five-year, $125 million contract extension.
He isn't the only member of the 2014 draft class worthy of a raise. Edge rusher Khalil Mack will get a big one, likely at some point next offseason. The Raiders have some time with Mack after exercising a fifth-year contract option available for first-round picks.
General manager Reggie McKenzie didn't have that luxury with Carr, and his 2014 second-round pick cashed in before formally entering a contract year.
Right guard Gabe Jackson could do the exact same thing. McKenzie prefers to draft, develop and reward homegrown talent, and the 2014 third-round pick should be next in line to do so.
McKenzie has said back in March that he'd like to extend Jackson's contract, though there isn't a deadline to do so.
"There's no timetable," general manager Reggie McKenzie said. "But, I alluded to earlier in the offseason that Gabe is one of the guys I want to get locked up."
That could happen later this offseason, or further into training camp. Despite paying Carr an NFL-record $25 million in 2017, his contract is structured in such a way that there's room for another offseason extension. That was important for Carr, that the Raiders can sign other members of this young core.
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"We figured out a way to do it," Carr said, "so that we have the opportunity to sign the other guys that I think are important to this organization."
The Raiders have roughly $18 million in salary cap space after the Carr deal. Some of that is earmarked for the team's top three draft picks, which remain unsigned to this point. A large sum could go to Jackson as incentive to sign up early, well before he's eligible to hit the unrestricted free agency.
The offensive guard market is booming, with bigger deals going to a position group generally lower than other spots on the offensive line. The Raiders contributed to that inflation in 2016, signing left guard Kelechi Osemele to a five-year, $58.5 deal with $25.4 million in guarantees.
Osemele is one of eight guards with contracts worth $40 million or more, a list that includes two right guards. Jackson played left guard – the more valued position – until Osemele showed up. He moved to the right without complaint.
Jackson thrived there as well. He didn't allow a sack in 2016, according to analytics site Pro Football Focus, with 27 quarterback pressures in 735 pass-blocking snaps. Jackson has been a strong run blocker as a pro, where he has started 44 games in three NFL seasons.
Finding proper value to entice Jackson to sign while remaining on budget is McKenzie's next task, trying to keep a valuable offensive lineman in place for years to come.
