Gabe Jackson - Pro Football Rumors

Raiders Eyeing Gabe Jackson Extension

March 28th, 2017 at 2:10pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Raiders hope to secure long-term agreements with quarterback Derek Carr and edge rusher Khalil Mack, and a third member of the club’s 2014 draft class is also up for a new deal. Oakland general manager Reggie McKenzie mentioned right guard Gabe Jackson‘s name in regards to possible extension, tweets Scott Bair of CSNCalifornia.com, who adds the Raiders “love” Jackson.

Without extensions in place, the Raiders can still hold onto Carr and Mack for several more seasons via the fifth-year option (Mack in 2018) and the franchise tag (Carr in 2018 and Mack in 2019). No such fifth-year option exists for Jackson given he was a third-round pick, and the franchise tender isn’t usually palatable for an interior lineman. As such, a long-term deal with Jackson would not only allow Oakland to keep its excellent offensive line in place, but enable the club to focus on deals for Carr and Mack.

Jackson, 25, has been a full-time starter since entering the league of out Mississippi State, and has appeared in 45 games during his three-year stint in Oakland. Last season, Jackson graded as the league’s No. 20 offensive guard among 72 qualifiers, per Pro Football Focus. The Raiders’ offensive line, which also includes stars Kelechi Osemele, Rodney Hudson, and Donald Penn, ranked first in pass protection in 2016, allowing an adjusted sack rate of just 3.4%, according to Football Outsiders.

The Raiders have ample cap space in which to fit long-term pacts for Carr, Mack, and Jackson, as the the team has $33MM in 2017 space and $76MM in 2018 (both amounts are among the league’s top five). Jackson, meanwhile, will earn $1.797MM in 2017 under the terms of the proven performance escalator.

2017 Proven Performance Escalators

January 17th, 2017 at 6:00pm CST by Dallas Robinson

According to the NFL’s contractual bargaining agreement, players drafted in rounds three though seven are entitled to raises during the fourth year of their respective rookie contracts. The pay bumps are tied to playing time — a player must have played in 35% of his team’s offensive or defensive snaps in two of his first three seasons, or averaged 35% playing time cumulatively during that period.

If one of these thresholds is met, the player’s salary is elevated to the level of that year’s lowest restricted free agent tender — that figure should be around $1.8MM in 2017. Players selected in the first or second round, undrafted free agents, and kickers/punters are ineligible for the proven performance escalator.

Here are the players who will see their salary rise in 2017 courtesy of the proven performance escalator:

49ers: Aaron Lynch, LB; Marcus Martin, OL

Bears: Charles Leno, T; Will Sutton, DT

Bengals: Russell Bodine, C

Bills: Preston Brown, LB; Seantrel Henderson, T

Broncos: Michael Schofield, OL

Browns: Christian Kirksey, LB

Buccaneers: Kevin Pamphile, G

Cardinals: John Brown, WR

Chiefs: Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, G; Zach Fulton, G; Phillip Gaines, CB

Colts: Donte Moncrief, WR

Cowboys: Anthony Hitchens, LB

Falcons: Devonta Freeman, RB

Giants: Devon Kennard, LB

Jaguars: Aaron Colvin, CB; Brandon Linder, G; Telvin Smith, LB

Lions: Nevin Lawson, CB; Travis Swanson, C

Packers: Corey Linsley, C; Richard Rodgers, TE

Panthers: Tre Boston, S; Trai Turner, G

Raiders: T.J. Carrie, CB; Justin Ellis, DT; Gabe Jackson, G

Rams: Maurice Alexander, S; E.J. Gaines, CB

Redskins: Bashaud Breeland, CB; Spencer Long, G; Morgan Moses, T

Texans: C.J. Fiedorowicz, TE; Andre Hal, S

Titans: DaQuan Jones, DL; Avery Williamson, LB

Vikings: Shamar Stephen, DT

Raiders Rumors: Vegas, Jackson, CBs

July 2nd, 2016 at 3:39pm CST by Sam Robinson

Mark Davis would need 24 votes from his fellow owners to green-light a Las Vegas move, but Vincent Bonsignore of the Orange County Register notes motivation exists within the NFL to agree to this move thanks to myriad circumstances.

The Rams preferring to keep the Los Angeles market for themselves and this week’s California State Supreme Court ruling making a Chargers’ long-term stadium hopes much less likely provide clarity on multiple fronts for a Raiders-to-Vegas venture. It would give the Chargers, who loom as a fringe Vegas option, a clear choice between San Diego or Los Angeles and allow for precise negotiations between the team and its current city without the Raiders complicating their push for L.A. by remaining in that mix. Although Vegas is now Davis’ front-burner option, his team still sits behind the Chargers in the Los Angeles pecking order.

Sources also informed Bonsignore the prospect of a second Los Angeles franchise remains preferable to the league, if only for the purposes of it forcing action on other cities to build stadiums, mentioning the Bills, Jaguars and Saints as those who could use Los Angeles as leverage.

Here’s more on Las Vegas, as well as the latest from around the league.

While the Raiders and the prospective developers did not like what came out of the Southern Nevada Tourism and Infrastructure Committee’s meeting last week — one that calls for $550MM in public funds to be raised for the proposed $1.45 billion stadium — all parties are optimistic a deal will be reached by the time a financing plan needs to be submitted to Nevada governor Brian Sandoval later this month, Bonsignore reports. “We are nearing the end of this process, but we certainly have [four] more weeks in order to resolve any differences we have,” said SNTIC chairman Steve Hill, via Bonsignore. “And it’s my sense, and most will agree, that everyone involved in this conversation is trying to work to make [the stadium project] happen.” The SNTIC will meet again on July 11 and later on July 28 to attempt to wrap up this plan.
Kelechi Osemele‘s arrival will slide Gabe Jackson from left to right guard, a position the promising third-year performer hasn’t played since college, Eddie Paskal of Raiders.com notes. On the strength of his pass-blocking, Jackson rated as Pro Football Focus’ No. 13 overall guard last season.
D.J. Hayden and T.J. Carrie are the primary competitors for Oakland’s slot cornerback job, Scott Bair of CSNBayArea.com writes. Sean Smith and David Amerson are expected to start. Hayden spent the most time working there during offseason workouts, but the Raiders did not pick up the 2013 first-rounder’s fifth-year option after a thus-far-underwhelming career. Carrie, who started 14 games last season, possesses more physicality for the role in Bair’s mind, however. After the team moved Keith McGill to safety, Neiko Thorpe resides as the most experienced challenger for slot duty.
Raiders third-round rookie Shilique Calhoun is also learning a new position.

AFC Links: Raiders, Dolphins, Green

July 3rd, 2015 at 8:35pm CST by Sam Robinson

The stadium proposal that didn’t exactly receive rave reviews leaves some unanswered questions regarding the feasibility of its completion and, naturally, the Raiders‘ future in Oakland, writes Matthew Artz of the Bay Area News Group.

Chief among them, writes Artz, is whether the stadium can be built for the $900MM budgeted, and if not, what’s the plan if additional funds are required? Artz points out how Levi’s Stadium was slated to cost $937MM but ended up running a $1.3 billion tab.

The project would have to be financed entirely by the NFL and the Raiders, and the proposed 55,000-seat stadium would be smaller and is projected to generate less revenue than what’s being discussed in Carson, Calif. But before seeing a cost breakdown, which the Raiders have not released, determining the project’s viability is difficult, executive director of the Sports Business Institute at USC’s School of Business David Carter told Artz.

Here are some more details from around the league on Independence Day eve.

The Raiders upgraded at backup quarterback in Christian Ponder, a veteran of new offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave‘s offense from the duo’s time in Minnesota from 2011-13, writes Steve Corkran of RaiderBeat.com. Corkran doesn’t doubt starter Derek Carr‘s ability to make a “precipitous” leap this season and believes new weapons Amari Cooper and Clive Walford will help in this effort. Concluding his analysis of the Oakland quarterback spot, the veteran Raiders reporter predicts Matt McGloin will beat out rookie Cody Fajardo.
New Raiders offensive coordinator Mike Tice has taken to second-year guard Gabe Jackson, referring to the 2014 third-round pick as a “rising star,” offers CSNBayArea.com. Jackson was the 27th-best guard, per Pro Football Focus, last season and now has the benefit of working next to key free agent acquisition Rodney Hudson in Year 2.
In his series on who’s bound for the Dolphins‘ 53-man roster, James Walker of ESPN.com gives running back Mike Gillislee a 25% chance at making the team in what could be his final training camp in Miami. Currently fifth on the depth chart behind Lamar Miller, rookie Jay Ajayi, LaMichael James and Damien Williams, Gillislee has just six carries for 21 yards in his two-year career.
Even before Antonio Gates‘ suspension, the Chargers were planning to allot more time to Ladarius Green, writes Eddie Brown of the San Diego Union-Tribune. With the Chargers viewing Green as a superior run-blocker to the 35-year-old Gates, the veteran’s early absence could expedite Melvin Gordon‘s development.

AFC West Notes: Hillman, Allen, Jackson

August 2nd, 2014 at 10:10am CST by Matt Feminis

Broncos running back Ronnie Hillman ended last season fourth on the depth chart, but he’s rebounded with an impressive, encouraging offseason, reports NFL.com’s Chris Wesseling. Hillman’s position coach Eric Studesville praised the third-year back, saying, “From when we started this spring in April forward, he has been unbelievable. He’s a completely different guy in the best possible way and I’m just excited about what he’s doing, how he’s approaching it, how he’s making plays on the field.”

Here’s a few more AFC West links:

The Broncos need to improve in the punt return game, writes the Denver Post’s Troy Renck, who takes a look at the players vying for the role, including Isaiah Burse and Jordan Norwood. The team can also use veteran Wes Welker if the “safe” option is the best option.
Donnie Avery had just 40 catches and two touchdowns in his first season with the Chiefs last year, but he remains the team’s best option to be the No. 2 receiver opposite Dwayne Bowe, says ESPN’s Adam Teicher.
The Chiefs’ offensive line is the focus of team reporter BJ Kissel, who writes about the impressive camp third-year blocker Jeff Allen is having. Allen is proving versatile and effective, and his teammates are noticing. Says Pro-Bowl pass rusher Tamba Hali: “I’m very impressed with [Allen]. He’s able to play guard and he’s able to play tackle and I’m going against him and he’s stoned me a couple times. I’m very impressed with him.”
There’s no more ambiguity about the type of offensive line the Raiders want to field, writes InsideBayArea.com’s Jerry McDonald, who says rookie guard Gabe Jackson “represents a changing of the guard for the Raiders in ways that go beyond inserting the rookie third-round draft pick into the starting lineup.” Jackson has work to do in pass protection, but the Raiders envision the third-rounder as a powerful road grader with long-term starter potential.
The Chargers’ depth chart for their first preseason game looks like this. Notre Dame rookie Chris Watt will start at right guard, while free-agent acquisition Donald Brown is listed as the primary kick returner.

Rookie Notes: Clowney, Bortles, Manziel, Beckham Jr., Cooks

June 27th, 2014 at 11:12am CST by Matt Feminis

This week, Texans top overall pick Jedeveon Clowney opened up about the sports hernia injury he had surgically repaired two weeks ago, admitting the injury bothered him as far back as last football season. The Houston Chronicle’s John McClain has the story of Clowney revealing the information to Gil Brandt, while Pro Football Talk wonders if the Texans should have known.

In other rookie news and notes…

Jaguars third-overall pick Blake Bortles will receive first-team reps in training camp, writes NFL.com’s Mike Coppinger.
Meanwhile, Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel continues to be a lightning rod even during the slowest of news periods, as he told Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot, “I’m not going to change for anybody.” A couple of Hall of Famers advise Manziel to stay out of the non-football headlines, though. Joe Montana weighed in on NFL Network, while Warren Moon talked to Alex Marvez and Pat Kirwan SiriusXM NFL Radio.
“[Draft picks] better all contribute right away, whether it be on special teams, defense, offense, whatever it is they’re going to be,” Giants head coach Tom Coughlin tells Jordan Raanan of NJ.com. “There’s no waiting around in this game today.” With that in mind, Raanan examined realistic expectations for rookie receiver Odell Beckham Jr.
The ingenuity of the Saints’ offensive system should enable first-rounder Brandin Cooks to thrive given the rookie’s explosiveness, playmaking and versatility, asserts SI.com’s Doug Farrar.
Bleacher Report’s Dan Hope highlights ten rookies already making favorable impressions and earning early reps, including the Raiders’ Gabe Jackson, the Cardinals’ John Brown.

Minor Moves: Chiefs, Raiders, Bears

June 5th, 2014 at 9:46pm CST by Zachary Links

Tonight’s minor moves..

The Chiefs have signed former Troy quarterback and wide receiver Deon Anthony and former Richmond cornerback Justin Rogers, according to Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star (on Twitter). To make room, Kansas City waived defensive tackle Risean Broussard.
The Raiders announced the signing of third-round offensive lineman Gabe Jackson, tweets Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com. With Jackson in the fold, the Raiders have now signed all of their 2014 draft picks, as shown in PFR’s running list of draft pick signings.
To make room for the newly-signed Jimmy Clausen, the Bears waived linebacker Lawrence Wilson, tweets Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times. The former UConn standout has spent time with the Bears and Panthers practice squads but has yet to see the field in the regular season.