The Las Vegas Raiders have already seen a lot of roster changes in free agency. They’ve agreed to terms with defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, quarterback Gardner Minshew and tight end Harrison Bryant while re-signing running back Ameer Abdullah, center Andre James and linebacker Kana’i Mauga.
They’ve lost running back Josh Jacobs to the Green Bay Packers, tight end Austin Hooper to the New England Patriots, offensive tackle Jermaine Eluemunor to the New York Giants, defensive tackle Bilal Nichols to the Arizona Cardinals and cornerback Amik Robertson to the Detroit Lions. Additionally, they released quarterbacks Jimmy Garoppolo and Brian Hoyer, receiver Hunter Renfrow and defensive tackle Jerry Tillery on Wednesday.
Based on the Over the Cap salary cap calculator tool, the Raiders should have around $39.6 million in remaining cap space before factoring in Bryant’s cap hit, which has yet to be announced.
#Raiders 2024 free agency so far:
– Signed Christian Wilkins, Gardner Minshew
– Re-signed: Andre James, Ameer Abdullah, Kana’i Mauga
– Lost: Josh Jacobs, Jermaine Eluemunor, Amik Robertson, Bilal Nichols, Austin Hooper
– Cut: Jimmy Garoppolo, Brian Hoyer, Jerry Tillery
— Tashan Reed (@tashanreed) March 13, 2024
If the Raiders still need to create more space, they have options. They could cut more players, extend players already on the roster or restructure existing contracts.
Las Vegas could still use free agency to address needs at running back, guard, right tackle, defensive tackle and cornerback. (Of course, it’s important to remember the Raiders also have eight picks in the 2024 NFL Draft — starting with pick No. 13 in the first round — to address any holes.) Here’s a list of some of the top remaining free agents who could fit on the roster.
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Zeitler will be 34 this season, but he remains one of the better right guards in the league. He’s consistent, rarely misses games and would be a huge upgrade for the Raiders at the position.
Wynn mostly played left tackle through four seasons with the Patriots from 2019 to 2022, but he also spent some time at right tackle before settling in at left guard with the Dolphins last season. He has missed 18 games due to injury over the last two seasons, but he’s a solid starter at multiple positions when healthy.
Gilmore isn’t the player he once was, but he started all 17 games for the Cowboys last season and finished with 68 tackles and 13 pass deflections. He’s reliable both in coverage and run support.
Humphries has spent most of his career at left tackle, but he played right tackle as a rookie. He’s 30 years old and is coming off a torn ACL, but he could be worth a short-term deal if the medicals check out.
Howard was a Pro Bowler as recently as 2022 and he’s still a good cornerback, but he was released by the Dolphins in a cost-cutting measure. He consistently makes plays on the ball — he’s had at least 12 pass deflections every year since 2020 — and would step into a starting role opposite Jack Jones.
Nelson seemingly overachieves at every stop he makes (he’s already played for four teams). Even at 31, he has good coverage skills and breaks well on the ball.
Tomlinson has missed just one game in his nine-year career and has consistently been a dependable starter. He has lined up almost exclusively at left guard, so bringing him on board would likely mean moving Dylan Parham to right guard.
The Raiders agreed to terms with Wilkins on Monday, but they still need help at defensive tackle. It’s concerning that Armstead has missed 13 games since 2022, but he has remained productive when healthy. He had 27 tackles and five sacks last season, can line up at multiple positions along the defensive line and would give the Raiders a huge lift as an interior pass rusher.
Campbell will be 38 this season but remains impactful despite his age. He had 56 tackles, 10 TFLs and 6.5 sacks last season. He’d be a good running mate for Wilkins and shouldn’t be too expensive.
He would solidify the secondary and allow the Raiders to use more disguised coverages. He may have lost a half-step at 29, but he still has great instincts and anticipation and can line up anywhere. He was also praised for his leadership in Washington.
In nine years as a first-string lineman in New Orleans, Peat made starts at left tackle, left guard and right tackle. For a Raiders offensive line that has needs in multiple areas, that versatility would make him a good addition.
Fant played well in 13 starts at right tackle for the Texans last season. He also has plenty of experience at left tackle and could serve as a swing tackle at worst.
Becton played at a decent level across 16 starts — 14 at left tackle and two at right tackle — for the Jets last season. He’s massive at 6-7, 363 pounds and has a lot of potential, but he has been inconsistent with putting it all together. He played just one game from 2021 to 2022, so his injury history is a concern, too. This would be a gamble, but Becton’s upside may be worth it.
Reader has been one of the premier run stuffers in the league for years. But he has struggled to stay healthy as of late and has missed 23 games since 2020. If the price is right, he could be worth a shot.
Hubbard missed eight games last season due to injury, but he had the look of a solid starting right tackle when healthy. He also has experience at guard, which brings added value.
Glowinski has experience starting at both left and right guard and could fill either role for the Raiders. He’s best in a zone-blocking scheme, which is what the Raiders will use under Getsy and offensive line coach James Cregg.
Risner has been a reliable starter at left guard throughout his career and rarely misses games. He wouldn’t stop the Raiders from exploring guards in the draft, but he’d ensure they have a reliable option to fall back on.
Yiadom has never been a full-time starter, but he was productive in eight games as a starter last season, totaling 37 tackles and 14 pass deflections. He’s 28, has solid size at 6-1, 188 pounds, and could be ready for a bigger role.
C.J. Henderson, CB, Panthers
Henderson was drafted too high but has still turned out to be useful. He has been consistently available as a rotational cornerback for the Panthers since 2022. If he can stay healthy, he could make a solid starter.
Wallace has been productive as a part-time starter with the Steelers the last two seasons. He has had 24 pass deflections and six interceptions since joining Pittsburgh and has been a reliable option at outside cornerback. He could be the same with the Raiders.
Elliott is far from the star player he once was, but he showed last season he can still be useful. He gained 955 yards from scrimmage and scored five touchdowns with the Patriots. He’s a good short-yardage runner, can catch balls out of the backfield and is strong in pass protection. He’d be a quality No. 2 option for the Raiders behind Zamir White.
The Vikings turned to Mattison as their lead back last season, and he looked like someone who would fit better in a complementary role. He gained 892 yards from scrimmage and scored three touchdowns, but the efficiency just wasn’t there. Playing alongside White could help change that.
Raiders general manager Tom Telesco signed Davis as an undrafted free agent with the Chargers in 2017 and watched him develop into a solid starting cornerback. A reunion with the Raiders would make sense.
Herndon was a part-time starter at both outside corner and nickelback in Jacksonville since signing there as an undrafted free agent in 2018. He could compete for a bigger role in Las Vegas.
Everything with White comes down to health. He was an All-Pro-caliber corner in 2020, but he has been unable to stay on the field ever since. He suffered a torn ACL in 2021, didn’t return until late in the 2022 season and then suffered a torn Achilles four games into the 2023 season. It’s hard to say when he’ll be cleared to play in 2024 — or if he can stay healthy — but he may still be worth a flier on a one-year deal.
Jackson was released as a cost-cutting measure, but he’s still a solid starting corner. He had 63 tackles and eight pass deflections last year and can line up both at outside corner and nickelback.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, Chiefs
Edwards-Helaire lost his starting job in 2022, but that doesn’t mean he can’t add value as a complementary back. He’s a physical runner and a good pass catcher out of the backfield.
Cook had a brutal 2023, hardly doing anything in stints with the Jets and Ravens. Perhaps another change of scenery could help him return to his 2022 form when he rushed for 1,173 yards and eight touchdowns. He should be available on a cheap, short-term deal.
Jones has made starts at left tackle, left guard, right guard and right tackle in his four-year career. He could compete both at guard and right tackle for the Raiders.
Dillon has been a consistent and productive No. 2 running back in four seasons with the Packers. Since 2021, he has averaged 976 yards from scrimmage per season. He’s a bruising runner at 6-foot, 247 pounds, and also adds value as a pass blocker and receiver.
Nijman was a bench player last year, but he has experience starting at both left and right tackle. With the Raiders, he could compete for the job at right tackle. And, if he doesn’t earn it, he’d still be useful as a swing tackle.
Opeta was a backup in his first three seasons with the Eagles, but he earned six starts last season with most of his time coming at right guard. He’ll only be 28 this season and could have a breakthrough with a more consistent role.
(Photo of Arik Armstead: Kyle Terada / USA Today)
