Oakland Raiders release 2011 third round OT Joe Barksdale

The Oakland Raiders continue to clean house under new general manager Reggie McKenzie and the latest casualty is offensive tackle Joe Barksdale. Adam Caplan reported Wednesday morning that Barksdale was cut by the Raiders, and it's a surprising move considering the team invested a third round pick in the 2011 NFL Draft.

The Raiders have made definite shifts under McKenzie and draft assets such as Barksdale have been treated rather loosely. It's clear that McKenzie is not playing favorites and has no ties to players of the former regime. They're approaching the team with a specific focus and any player who doesn't fit it is gone.

However, the right scheme is everything in the NFL, and the Kansas City Chiefs might want to take a look at Barksdale. A third round offensive tackle is intriguing enough and Barksdale had high marks coming into the draft in 2011. At 6-5, 325 lbs., Barksdale has great size and has experience from his days at LSU as a swing tackle.

Barksdale will have to go through waivers, so a team should be announced on Thursday if he is claimed.