Free Agency thread for Raiders and league-wide

[RunOverByHubbard]

Free agency opens March 11. CBS Sports has their top 50 ranking. No Raiders on the list. I am surprised at a couple rated high - Aaron Rodgers and Daniel Jones. Lots of wide receivers

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/earl ... ng-top-50/

[RI RAIDER]

We still have cap space, but I would punt for the most part until next season (where we will have plenty of space again). Lets let this team marinate and let the coaching staff make informed decisions on what we need. Right now is just a big of a question mark to shoot your entire load. There will be both pleasant and not so pleasant surprises that arise like every season.

[mstrbass2000]

raiders cap wise r just fine, if we need more space redo miller and maxxs deal to free up cap plus next yr we start off with over 50 million just from dead cap falling off

[Cruisin with Tooz]

Agree. I don’t know why DT has been ignored so far. I really wanted Tonga &, Rankins. & still draft one of McDonald, Hunter, Banks or, Woods (if available).

Billings has always been a player I liked &, he’s played well. He’d be a perfect pickup for this team. I’d even add Reader as well. Gotta create a good rotation to keep them fresh. Then still draft one of the above to learn from them &, ease them into their role.

Donte Corleone or, D.Orange on day three would be great too.

Isnt Orange projected to go in the back of the 2nd round? We would have to trade up about 10 spots to get him using our 3rd pick. Woods, banks and MacDonald are probably going in the 1st. We would have to trade up anywhere from 10-20 spots to nab one of those. Hunter could be available without any trade up. But to take him, we would have to forgo taking a ROT with the 2nd pick. If Iheanachor or Miller are available, they have to be the pick. I would much rather trade up the 3rd pick 10 spots to get either Orange or Christen Miller. Or even trade back 10 spots and take Darrell Jackson. I think the priority should be OT and we should temporize this year using our 3rd pick and FA (Reader, Billings) to address NT.

[RunOverByHubbard]

It was a trade to get Fields: the Chiefs are sending the Jets a 2027 sixth-round pick. The Jets will pay a large portion of Fields' salary, as he is due $10 million guaranteed.

Did we cover that Kyler Murray signed with the Vikings, cementing JJ McCarthy's place on the bench?

[mstrbass2000]

Cardinals agreed to terms with DL Andrew Billings and LB Jack Gibbens.
Both signings offer depth at positions of need. Gibbens handled 45% of the defensive snaps for the Patriots in 2025 while Billings was in on 48% of the defensive snaps for the Bears. Of particular intrigue is the addition of Gibbens considering the relative lack of depth inside on the second level currently, meaning he could carve out a substantial role for the Cardinals in 2026.

[MexicanHulk]

Isnt Orange projected to go in the back of the 2nd round? We would have to trade up about 10 spots to get him using our 3rd pick. Woods, banks and MacDonald are probably going in the 1st. We would have to trade up anywhere from 10-20 spots to nab one of those. Hunter could be available without any trade up. But to take him, we would have to forgo taking a ROT with the 2nd pick. If Iheanachor or Miller are available, they have to be the pick. I would much rather trade up the 3rd pick 10 spots to get either Orange or Christen Miller. Or even trade back 10 spots and take Darrell Jackson. I think the priority should be OT and we should temporize this year using our 3rd pick and FA (Reader, Billings) to address NT.

Orange stock has risen some but, I don’t think that much. He was more of 4th-5th before. I’d say his projection is more of 3-4 than a 2nd. Not that he couldn’t go second, just talking general projection.

I know some of the names I listed are projected a little higher than the Raiders pick but, I was just throwing the names out there that I like as DTs &, saying to draft whoever is there. Since some players can fall. Or, if they fall enough, trade up if you don’t have to give up much.

& I don’t see OT as nearly the need others do. I believe in Grant. His tape/talent last year I saw as fringe first rounder. He just didn’t play top competition so, that limited his draft stock. Miller/Grant I like as the OTs. I’m ok with drafting another OT to develop &, battle it out with Grant to start. Plus, the depth for injuries is always great to have. Then maybe you let Miller go in a year or two to save money…if the prospect works out that is. But, it’s not a top need at all. Definitely not over DT. Or CB/FS, X (outside) WR.

DT is far & away the more dire need than Oline. With similarly rated prospects, I’d take DT all day over Oline with the current state of the roster.

[GoodTimeCharlie]

Orange stock has risen some but, I don’t think that much. He was more of 4th-5th before. I’d say his projection is more of 3-4 than a 2nd. Not that he couldn’t go second, just talking general projection.

I know some of the names I listed are projected a little higher than the Raiders pick but, I was just throwing the names out there that I like as DTs &, saying to draft whoever is there. Since some players can fall. Or, if they fall enough, trade up if you don’t have to give up much.

& I don’t see OT as nearly the need others do. I believe in Grant. His tape/talent last year I saw as fringe first rounder. He just didn’t play top competition so, that limited his draft stock. Miller/Grant I like as the OTs. I’m ok with drafting another OT to develop &, battle it out with Grant to start. Plus, the depth for injuries is always great to have. Then maybe you let Miller go in a year or two to save money…if the prospect works out that is. But, it’s not a top need at all. Definitely not over DT. Or CB/FS, X (outside) WR.

DT is far & away the more dire need than Oline. With similarly rated prospects, I’d take DT all day over Oline with the current state of the roster.

100% agree all things being equal. I only pause in the case of our young man Mendo. Keeping him safe is priority #1. I’d rather have our defense get their ass kicked than see Mendo running for his life every snap cause the right side keeps collapsing.

Based on how the prospect rankings look now (which of course could change) it’s looking RT/RG in the 2nd. Scheme fit makes me think 2nd Miller RT, or Bisontis/Pregnon RG. I’m hoping Grant fits the bill too and we’re only needing a RG.

If it’s just an RG, then we’re free to back-to-back Orange/Jackson Jr with the 3rd and “Godfather” in the 4th.

If not, we’re gonna have to start dealing those extra 4th and 6th rounders. I hope that’s not the case, cause I want all those extras to take swings on FS-CB-WR and an RB, which more likely than not will be one (both?) of the Hoosiers RBs Hemby and Black.

[MexicanHulk]

100% agree all things being equal. I only pause in the case of our young man Mendo. Keeping him safe is priority #1. I’d rather have our defense get their ass kicked than see Mendo running for his life every snap cause the right side keeps collapsing.

Based on how the prospect rankings look now (which of course could change) it’s looking RT/RG in the 2nd. Scheme fit makes me think 2nd Miller RT, or Bisontis/Pregnon RG. I’m hoping Grant fits the bill too and we’re only needing a RG.

If it’s just an RG, then we’re free to back-to-back Orange/Jackson Jr with the 3rd and “Godfather” in the 4th.

If not, we’re gonna have to start dealing those extra 4th and 6th rounders. I hope that’s not the case, cause I want all those extras to take swings on FS-CB-WR and an RB, which more likely than not will be one (both?) of the Hoosiers RBs Hemby and Black.

Agree that with your franchise QB, even more so a rookie QB coming in, I’d want Oline set more than dline. But you also have to trust your own drafting/talent evaluation on the players you picked up (if they deserve to be trusted) &, draft/sign other positions. We don’t want to throw all our resources in one area, just in case, when there looks to be answers already there. I do understand having a good backup/competition but, you don’t want to flood the area while disregarding other glaring needs at other highly important positions (DT).

I feel pretty good about the state of the oline now. I’d like a solid backup OT for the line behind Miller/Grant, in case of injury &, to battle with Grant but, I don’t see the need to invest in what you’d call a sure fire starter or, high draft pick (#36) for RT.

I also see the IOL as set for now. C Linderbaum, LG JPJ, RG Rogers. Like Grant, I really believe in Roger’s as well. That looks to me, to be a really good starting IOL. Plus Meredith &, Glaze as backups. That phenomenal. Meredith played great as a G the year before. Glaze played solid as a T the year before. Switching to G could make him even better. Add to that, that he could be the backup RT too. With good coaching, he could revert back to his ok play at T, if injuries happen.

So while I wouldn’t be opposed to adding another young OT thru the draft, I just don’t see it as a pressing need. Nor IOL. At least nowhere near the need at DT.

[Attyla]

I take another view. Adding two offensive linemen to the mix is not only good business, it ensures we have every chance of getting the line set so Mendoza is standing at the end of the year. The NT can be addressed on day three early and then get his backup later in the 4th to get the depth right. I don't have confidence Grant like some and I really have questions of Rogers. Meredith is a fringe player and Glaze has not made the leap.

[BoKnows81]

I take another view. Adding two offensive linemen to the mix is not only good business, it ensures we have every chance of getting the line set so Mendoza is standing at the end of the year. The NT can be addressed on day three early and then get his backup later in the 4th to get the depth right. I don't have confidence Grant like some and I really have questions of Rogers. Meredith is a fringe player and Glaze has not made the leap.

100% agree. No need for an early DT.

[chucker]

[chucker]

[raiders93]

Agree that with your franchise QB, even more so a rookie QB coming in, I’d want Oline set more than dline. But you also have to trust your own drafting/talent evaluation on the players you picked up (if they deserve to be trusted) &, draft/sign other positions. We don’t want to throw all our resources in one area, just in case, when there looks to be answers already there. I do understand having a good backup/competition but, you don’t want to flood the area while disregarding other glaring needs at other highly important positions (DT).

I feel pretty good about the state of the oline now. I’d like a solid backup OT for the line behind Miller/Grant, in case of injury &, to battle with Grant but, I don’t see the need to invest in what you’d call a sure fire starter or, high draft pick (#36) for RT.

I also see the IOL as set for now. C Linderbaum, LG JPJ, RG Rogers. Like Grant, I really believe in Roger’s as well. That looks to me, to be a really good starting IOL. Plus Meredith &, Glaze as backups. That phenomenal. Meredith played great as a G the year before. Glaze played solid as a T the year before. Switching to G could make him even better. Add to that, that he could be the backup RT too. With good coaching, he could revert back to his ok play at T, if injuries happen.

So while I wouldn’t be opposed to adding another young OT thru the draft, I just don’t see it as a pressing need. Nor IOL. At least nowhere near the need at DT.

Everything you say makes sense, though I guess I still have questions about our o-line.

Last year, it was an unmitigated disaster. One of the worst units I’ve seen in a long, long time. Now granted, miller was hurt and JPJ was hurt and it certainly got worse as we lost those 2… but it wasn’t good even with those 2.

How much of the collective output can be attributed to a bad o-line coach and a dysfunctional offensive scheme? How much growth are we expecting out of 2 young guys that Pete seemed absolutely reluctant to play for most of the year?

I ask that because on paper, we’ve only added 1 guy to an absolutely awful o-line. Mind you, that 1 guy is a superstar… but nevertheless, 1 guy. It’s all opinion from this point on but, is the idea that: linderbaum kind of adds cohesion to the unit + we get much better coaching + we get some meaningful development out of the 2 relative question marks (rogers and grant).

[Rabidraider]

Wow, with a deep wide receiver draft you would think Denver would of grabbed a receiver at 30 and keep the other draft capitol.

Miami is fast approaching 100 million in dead cap.

[Jeevo]

Wow, that's a big move. I like Waddle but ...