Grading the Las Vegas Raiders after the first two waves of free agency
After pretty much two full days of free agency, or the legal tampering period, the Las Vegas Raiders have made some moves. They haven't been nearly as busy as some of the top teams spending money, like the Washington Commanders, who had $90 million to use. However, the Raiders have probably had the craziest and […]
After pretty much two full days of free agency, or the legal tampering period, the Las Vegas Raiders have made some moves. They haven't been nearly as busy as some of the top teams spending money, like the Washington Commanders, who had $90 million to use. However, the Raiders have probably had the craziest and most splashy deal happen.
On Monday, it didn't even take two hours before the Raiders had everyone shocked. Just as rumors are heating up surrounding the Houston Texans and defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, the Raiders swooped in and signed one of the best defensive tackles in the league.
They weren't done, either, as they have made a few more moves since. Some of it in-house, and some of it bringing in new guys. Now that everything is calmed down a bit, lets grade how the Raiders fared after the first two waves.
Grading Raiders' 2024 Free Agency
B+
DT, Christian Wilkins
After two days, the Raiders deserve a B+ grade for their efforts. Had they not signed Wilkins, I think we would have had one of the worst two-day stretches of free agency possible. But they did get Wilkins, and now Maxx Crosby has some significant help on the defensive line.
So, let's start with that move because it is by far the most polarizing and the best move they made. We all know Maxx Crosby needed some help up on the defensive line. Crosby was the 8th most double-teamed edge rusher in the NFL last year, and now they will have Christian Wilkins on the line, and you can't double-team two guys.
Wilkins's deal doesn't look too bad, either. It's pretty much what I thought it would be, and that's a huge reason the grade is as good as it is. However, there is a reason the grade is a B+ and not an A+.
QB, Gardner Minshew
Let's just start with the only other move the Raiders made that didn't involve some in-house guys they were bringing back. The other move the Raiders made was signing Gardner Minshew, the quarterback who played for the Indianapolis Colts last season, which was all right. The Raiders signed him on a two-year deal worth $25 million, which isn't bad money.
Minshew will either be the starting quarterback in 2024 or he will be the bridge quarterback, where he will help Aidan O'Connell and whoever else the Raiders draft. If I had to grade this one alone, I'd grade it as a C+ just because they are paying quite a bit for a guy who could be the backup. And, when you factor in that Russell Wilson, who wanted to play in Las Vegas but the Raiders didn't want him, would have been on a veteran minimum and is a better player, it just adds to it all.
But Minshew is a guy that will fit well in the locker room.
In-house deals
As far as the in-house deals or the guys who were with the team last season and have already resigned to a new deal, the Raiders have nailed it so far. They brought back Andre James at the center when the market wasn't looking great, and they did it quickly. That means the Raiders won't have to move Parham to the center when he is more comfortable with left guard.
The Raiders brought back Ameer Abdullah, a swiss army knife who can do it on third down as a running back, pass catcher, or get some tackles on special teams. The fact they made an immediate effort to get him back shows how important he is to the team.
Overall, the Raiders had to slow it down a bit. They signed Wilkins to a pretty big deal, so we don't expect them to just keep going, especially when they have a ton of spots that still need to be filled, and they have the NFL Draft as well. a B+ feels right here.
Las Vegas Raiders to sign DT Christian Wilkins to four-year, $110 million deal
The Raiders made a splashy move.
