Las Vegas has plenty of talent headed to free agency
The Las Vegas Raiders have several pending free agents on the defensive side of the ball who are keys to the team.
Let’s rank the Raiders’ top defensive free agents (again, these are the top defensive free agents) in order of importance in terms of prioritizing re-signing them. By the way, Tuesday, at the NFL Combine, coach Pete Carroll said he wants to keep all of his defensive free agents. Yes, the Raiders are projected to have the second most salary-cap room in the league, so they should be able to get a lot done in terms of players on this list.
Oh, and, it’s not easy list to rank:
- Nate Hobbs:
Hobbs is an above-average nickel cornerback in a league where they are highly valued. A players like Hobbs would be scooped up in the first hours of free agency if he allowed to hit the open market. the Raiders drafted Hobbs in the fifth round in 2021. He’s the type homegrown player teams that are building the right way need to keep.
2. Tre’von Moehrig:
The safety, who was drafted in the second round in 2021, has had his ups and downs, but he had a pretty solid season in 2024. He is a solid player who makes his presence known. He, too, would be popular on the open market if he gets there.
3. Robert Spillane:
I could see an argument being made for him being on the top of this list. Yes, list is that good. Spillane, who was a favorite of former head coach Antonio Pierce, probably will have returning defensive coordinator Patrick Graham in his corner. He has been a tackle machine in his two seasons in Las Vegas and he’s a a heart-and-soul type. Spillane may be more valuable to the Raiders than others teams because the Raiders know exactly what he brings to their program.
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4. Malcolm Koonce:
Koonce is a tricky study. He had a great end to the 2023 season in which he had eight of his 10 career sacks. But he was quiet before then and then he missed the entire 2024 season with a knee injury. So, other teams will have a difficult time evaluating him. But the bottom line is talented pass-rushers get paid in free agency, so, will bet on Koonce bouncing back and producing in 2025. Carroll mentioned him by name Tuesday. So, there’s interest on the home front.
5. Divine Deablo:
Deablo is a decent starting linebacker, but he’s not special. He has some flaws that get exposed during games. I’d think the Raiders will prioritize several other free agents before Deablo.
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6. Adam Butler:
Butler is an underrated defensive tackle. He just shows up every week and makes plays. the Raiders will likely want to retain him. But he could take his chances and see if he can cash in big on the open market.
7. K’Lavon Chaisson:
Chaisson is another interesting player headed to free agency. The Raiders signed him off the street in September and he ended up being a solid playmaker and pass-rusher. The former first-round pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars is bringing nice tape to free agency. Again, players who can rush the quarterback, get paid. He may want to see what he can get on the open market.
8. Marcus Epps;
Epps was hurt early in the season. The Raiders may want to look at some of their younger safeties such as Isaiah Pola-Mao, Thomas Harper and Trey Taylor instead of paying Epps to stay. But he had success in Las Vegas in 2023.
9. John Jenkins:
Jenkins will turn 36 this summer and he’s a rotational player. But he is still effective and Graham is a big fan. We can see the Raiders bringing back for another season.