OF Kolton Miller announce that he is leaving Raiders Now another significant issue for team…..
The Raiders have yet to finalize their general manager decision, but interim GM Champ Kelly was involved in some of their coaching interviews, suggesting he’ll at least play a role in the new front office.
Once things are settled, Las Vegas will immediately dive into its free-agent options, seeking ways to improve a roster that appeared solid down the stretch under Pierce. The Raiders are projected to have $43.5 million in cap space, giving them some flexibility on the open market.
With this in mind, let’s dive into a hypothetical wish list for the Raiders and examine a few top players to target.
Raiders 2024 Free Agent Big Board
Dolphins DT Christian Wilkins Brandon Sloter/Image Of Sport/Getty Images
- Christian Wilkins, DT, Miami Dolphins
- Josh Allen, Edge, Jacksonville Jaguars
- Jaylon Johnson, CB, Chicago Bears
- Devin White, LB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- L’Jarius Sneed, CB, Kansas City Chiefs
- Justin Madubuike, DE, Baltimore Ravens
- Mike Onwenu, OL, New England Patriots
- Patrick Queen, LB, Baltimore Ravens
- Josh Uche, Edge, New England Patriots
- D.J. Reader, DT, Cincinnati Bengals
DT Christian Wilkins
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The Raiders’ biggest need is that of a legitimate franchise quarterback. With all due respect to Aidan O’Connell, Las Vegas needs a signal-caller who can go throw for throw against division rivals Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert.
However, the Raiders aren’t likely to find that in free agency. Kirk Cousins is the top impending free agent at the position, and after the Jimmy Garoppolo experiment, Las Vegas should be far more interested in getting aggressive on draft day than targeting another aging vet.
In free agency, Las Vegas’ top priority should be addressing the defensive line. The defense, as a whole, was far better under Pierce than under Josh McDaniels, but the Raiders still ranked 21st in run defense.
Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Christian Wilkins would be an ideal addition to that defensive front. He only turned 28 in December, and he’s become one of the league’s best interior defenders.
Wilkins finished the 2023 season with 65 tackles, 38 solo stops and nine sacks. He’d help shut down opposing ground games while also helping to complement Maxx Crosby with the interior pass rush.
Edge Josh Allen
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The Raiders could also use another sack-artist to complement Crosby on the edge. Las Vegas used a first-round pick on Tyree Wilson last April, but Wilson was brought along slowly during the season.
The 23-year-old finished his inaugural campaign with 3.5 sacks and two tackles for loss. Crosby accumulated 14.5 of Las Vegas’ 46 sacks, and Malcolm Koonce was the only other defender with more than five.
Koonce, it should be noted, is entering the final year of his contract.
Jacksonville Jaguars pass-rusher Josh Allen would be a logical fit for the Raiders. At 6’5″ and 255 pounds, Allen has a build and range very similar to Crosby’s. He finished the 2023 season with 17.5 sacks and 46 quarterback pressures.
Pairing Allen with Crosby would instantly give Las Vegas one of the most feared pass-rushing tandems in the league. In a division that does feature Mahomes and Herbert, that would be a massive advantage.
Presumably, the Jaguars will do everything they can to keep Allen in the fold, but should he become available, Las Vegas should pounce.
CB Jaylon Johnson
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The Raiders defense could use a shutdown cover corner, and Jaylon Johnson of the Chicago Bears would fit the bill. The 24-year-old is coming off a stellar Pro Bowl campaign, one he finished with 10 passes defended and four interceptions.
Johnson allowed an opposing passer rating of only 50.9 in coverage this past season.
The Bears will undoubtedly try to retain Johnson, and his contract demands will be high if he reaches the open market. However, the hiring of Pierce could give Las Vegas an edge, given Johnson’s favorable view of the new Raiders coach.
“With Antonio Pierce, kinda knowing him for a little bit, but just knowing his style, knowing his personality, there’s a lot players can relate to and it’s a lot you can respect,” Johnson told Fox Sports’ All Facts No Brakes (h/t Austin Boyd of Heavy).
Johnson is young enough to be a long-term building block for the Raiders, and he’s talented enough to give Las Vegas a legitimate star on the back end of its defense.
