Las Vegas Raiders: Free Agency Needs
In his second offseason as the Las Vegas Raiders' general manager, Dave Ziegler has quite a bit of work to do.
The Raiders are coming off a disappointing 2022 season in which they went 6-11 and missed the playoffs for the fifth time in six years. If Las Vegas returns to being a postseason contender in the near future, they will need to make the right moves this offseason to put itself in a position to do so.
That begins with finding a new starting quarterback after the team released longtime QB Derek Carr last month. Jimmy Garoppolo appears to be the man chosen to reunite with his former offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, reported to have signed a three-year $72.75m deal on the first day of the legal tampering period.
Raiders' other big needs
With $43.7 million available in cap space, the Raiders have an opportunity to spend big heading into free agency. However, General Manager Dave Ziegler should be careful about targeting the right players and giving out deals that make sense for both the short and long term.
Offensive Line
Given Garoppolo's injury history and Las Vegas' poor offensive line play last season, they must improve their pass protection. As such, Las Vegas must intensify its efforts to reinforce its offensive line and bolster its depth, given the risk of players leaving in free agency.
The team requires more quality players in various positions across the line, with no specific area emerging as the most significant need. One probable candidate for recruitment is Kaleb McGary, an offensive tackle whose inclusion could strengthen Las Vegas' O-line on the right side. Other players targeted may be Garrett Bradbury and Connor McGovern, as well as targeting the top rookie tackles with the number 8 pick in the draft.
Cornerback
Moreover, the Raiders already needed to enhance their secondary, and with Averett, Ya-Sin, and Sidney Jones possibly exiting in free agency, the situation becomes more pressing. The team must seek multiple cornerbacks through different avenues, such as free agency, trades, and the draft.
James Bradberry, a top-tier free-agent cornerback, presents an excellent opportunity for the Raiders. At 29 years old, he could provide a significant boost to the team's defense. Las Vegas possesses the financial resources to sign him, which would be a logical move for the team. Re-signing Ya-Sin and drafting a cornerback could also be prudent.