Las Vegas Raiders make crucial roster moves just days before Klint Kubiak’s first training camp kicks off
The Las Vegas Raiders are ready for training camp to kick off on Wednesday, but made some roster moves first to get ready.
The Las Vegas Raiders held pre-training camp workouts on Monday, bringing in eight free agents for a look before officially opening camp on Wednesday. By the end of the day, the transaction wire revealed which players earned a spot on the 90-man roster and which current players lost theirs.
Las Vegas signed defensive end Patrick Johnson, linebacker Buddy Johnson, and wide receiver Devin Tompkins. In corresponding moves, the Raiders waived wide receiver Jonathan Brady, linebacker Chris Thomas, and defensive tackle Laki Tasi.
The Laki Tasi release stings for some fans
Waiving Tasi is notable. He was a fan favorite who generated genuine excitement as an international pathway program player. Many fans believed his size and raw athleticism could translate from the offensive side of the ball, where former coach Pete Carroll had him last season, to the defensive side this year. That transition simply isn’t in the cards for him right now, and it doesn’t appear he’ll fill the international pathway role for the Raiders in 2026, at least not at this point.
Who are the 3 new Raiders?
Patrick Johnson is entering his sixth NFL season after spending 2025 with the Philadelphia Eagles. The Raiders are labeling him as a defensive end, though the transaction wire listed him as a linebacker. He played nine games with Philadelphia last season, finishing with three tackles, one sack, and two quarterback hits. At 6’2, 250 pounds, Johnson has appeared in 70 career games.
Buddy Johnson is entering his fifth NFL season after being a fourth-round pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2021. At 6’2, 240 pounds, he has played in 33 career games across stints with the Steelers, Dallas Cowboys, and Indianapolis Colts. Johnson has totaled 23 tackles on special teams along with four tackles and one tackle for loss on defense.
Devin Thompkins is also entering his fifth NFL season. The 5-foot-8, 160-pound wide receiver signed as an undrafted free agent with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2022 and has bounced around the NFC South, playing 36 career games with the Buccaneers, Carolina Panthers, and Atlanta Falcons. He has totaled 29 receptions for 162 yards and one touchdown.
What it all means for the Raiders’ 90-man roster
The Raiders brought in a total of eight players for workouts on Monday, including former Pro Bowl running back Miles Sanders, former Broncos and Colts wide receiver KJ Hamler, wide receiver Casey Washington, and tight end Zach Kuntz, along with Jaman Johnson. None of those players were signed.
Las Vegas is doing what every team does just before training camp. They’re bringing in veterans and fringe roster players to evaluate whether they can strengthen the bottom of the 90-man roster. Some of these new additions could push for bubble spots on the 53-man roster by the end of the preseason. Some might not stick on a practice squad. The only way to find out is to watch them compete over the next several weeks.