The Las Vegas Raiders’ Day 1 splurge in free agency began to get the all-important official posts for the organization’s social media channels on Wednesday.
The NFL’s first league year began that day and all eyes are going to set on the Raiders confirming all the free agent signings and trades (the big nixed one included) as general manager John Spytek bolsters its roster for Klint Kubiak’s initial run as a head coach.
The first move the team announced was free agent kicker Matt Gay’s addition, quickly followed by in-house free agent defensive end Malcolm Koonce re-signing and confirmation of the trade with the Buffalo Bills for cornerback Taron Johnson. Behind those was the official trade of quarterback Geno Smith to the New York Jets. And, Wednesday evening, Las Vegas announced its signed free agent linebacker Nakobe Dean — one of the big fish the team reeled in when the legal tampering period opened Monday.
And on Thursday morning, the Raiders announced another big catch: Center Tyler Linderbaum, who signed a record-setting deal and comes from the Baltimore Ravens. That was followed by confirmation free agent wide receiver and Nevada native Jalen Nailor is now a Raider, too. And the other two additions — linebacker Quay Walker and edge rusher Kwity Paye were confirmed, as well.
Spytek did well to land key talent during Wave 1 of free agency to give Kubiak and his coaching staff the requisite impact players to make a go of things this coming season. But, as we all know, the Silver & Black’s laundry list of needs remains a long one, even with key free agency acquisitions.
From offensive and defensive line, to the secondary, special teams, and quarterback and running back, Spytek and his personnel room still has sleeves rolled up and building a roster that puts Kubiak and his staff in the best possible position to succeed.
Let’s explore where the free agency adds didn’t move the needle:
Special Teams
There’s a reunion in that room with special teams coordinator Joe DeCamillis linking up with Gay. That pairing were excellent with the Los Angeles Rams in 2021 and 2022 — Gay went 60-of-64 on field goals made and attempted with a solid 93.8 field goal percentage.
This maneuver looks wholly like recapturing the magic from those two seasons as Gay struggled since those two seasons as he finished with field goal percentages of 80.5, 83.8, 73.9 percent the following three seasons including going 17-of-23 with the San Francisco 49ers and Washington Commanders in 2025.
A survey we did on whether Raider Nation would rather have Daniel Carlson or Gay at place kicker provided not-surprising results. The former boot specialist was the overwhelming choice. But adding Gay in free agency shouldn’t be the end of it.
With 11 picks in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft, Las Vegas would be wise to add youth to the kicker spot in the form of a late-round prospect — some of which I explored in a piece last week. If not during the seven rounds, an undrafted free agent for healthy competition as the Raiders gear up for the 2026 campaign.
Offensive Line
Linderbaum’s arrival means there won’t be any games at the pivot (unlike the saga with Jackson Powers-Johnson, Jordan Meredith, and even the now released Alex Cappa) — hopefully. The 2022 first-round pick (25th overall) by the Ravens out of Iowa has the ideal skillset to be the center on Kubiak’s and Rick Dennison’s zone blocking scheme as a center who can not only move, but over communicates and gets the front five all on the same page.
This addition means Powers-Johnson can slide over to guard and be the mauling presence he’s been once healthy, but there’s plenty to figure out on the interior and right tackle spots as the Raiders move forward. While the team has promising youngsters Caleb Rogers and Charles Grant heading into their second seasons as 2025 draft picks at guard and tackle, respectively, adding more depth is ideal — especially with 63-game starting guard Dylan Parham departing on a free agency deal with the New York Jets.
Secondary
Eric Stokes’ return on a well-earned three-year, $30 million contract before free agency opened after proving himself on a one-year flier deal ensures an effective outside cornerback remains in Silver & Black. And the arrival of Johnson as a prime candidate for the slot cornerback role bolsters the group, too.
While the cornerback room remains young overall with veterans on the back end at safety, competition breeds excellence and Las Vegas. There’s plenty of time as free agency continues but adding young prospects during and after the draft to the secondary is ideal.
Jeremy Chinn is a versatile piece at the safety spot and the 28-year-old partnered up with Isaiah Pola-Mao on the backend. Pola-Mao became a 17-game starter this past season but could stand for competing for starting snaps this coming season under new defensive coordinator Rob Leonard.
Quarterback & Running Back
The biggest void on the roster is without question the all-important signal caller spot. The Raiders did ship off former starter Geno Smith to the New York Jets alongside a 2026 seventh-round pick (228th overall) for a 2026 sixth-round pick (208th overall). (Cough, that sixth-round pick would be perfect for a kicker, no?).
Aidan O’Connell remains the only quarterback listed currently on Las Vegas’ roster and that’ll change. The presumed No. 1 overall selection by the team is Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza. And there were reports the Raiders likely bring in a veteran at the position, too.
The tailback and fullback spots remain light and Kubiak spoke openly about having a shared workload to ensure bell cow Ashton Jeanty isn’t ran ragged in Year 2 and beyond. There’s talent in the free agency pool and, as we’re just in Week 1, there’s plenty of opportunity for Spytek to bolster the offensive backfield.
Brian Robinson Jr. and Antonio Gibson are available and can provide a 1-2 punch with Jeanty, if Raiders are so inclined, for example.
At fullback, the Raiders did ink free agent Connor Heyward from the Pittsburgh Steelers. The 27-year-old developed into a reliable lead blocker while bringing pass catching elements to his game as a 6-foot, 230-pounder. The potential Raiders reunion with Alec Ingold evaporated when the former Miami Dolphins lead blocker linked back up with Mike McDaniel who is now the Los Angeles Chargers offensive coordinator.
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