Defensive tackle Gerard Warren on Thursday became the third starter and fourth veteran from last year’s Raiders team to be shown the door as part of the team’s offseason plan to shed hefty contracts and get younger.

Warren, 31, started 37 games during his three seasons with the Raiders after arriving in a training-camp trade with the Denver Broncos in 2007. He started all 16 games last season and posted two sacks.
The expected move, revealed through league documents, came in advance of the Raiders being obligated to pay Warren an option bonus just south of $6 million. He also was slated to earn $755,000 in base salary this season.
Warren joins defensive end Greg Ellis and running back Justin Fargas as starters released by the Raiders. Wide receiver Javon Walker was the other veteran released. All four are free to sign with any of the league’s 32 teams, including the Raiders.
Second-year players Desmond Bryant and Matt Shaughnessy are the only legitimate candidates on Oakland’s roster to fill the void created by Warren’s release. Therefore, the odds are in favor of the Raiders using at least one of their draft picks in April on a defensive tackle.