Grading the Raiders’ moves during the first wave of free agency: Vegas addressed some of their biggest needs before getting to the draft
The Raiders have one of their most successful free agencies in a long time.
The Las Vegas Raiders were very busy during the first wave of free agency. Now, almost all of their big moves have come on Monday, the first day of the two-day negotiating period before free agency.
After that, the Raiders made very small moves here and there for depth guys or roster bubble players—guys it’s not really fair to grade. So for now, we are just going to grade all of the big moves they made in free agency, and then the Raiders’ free agency as a whole.
Grading the Raiders’ free agency in 2026 after the first wave
Re-signing of DE Malcolm Koonce: B+
There’s not much else the Raiders could have done without overpaying. And, who knows, maybe this is an overpay, but if it is, it’s just a one-year deal. The good part is that Koonce brings something every team needs—continuity. Now, there is such a thing as bad continuity, especially with a team like the Raiders, which had so many bad players last season. This would be classified as good continuity.
Signing of LB Quay Walker: A-
This signing is a joke for Vegas. As we already stated, the position group was horrible, with players like Devin White and Elandon Roberts as the best two LBs on the roster last season. At one point, Vegas even moved Jamal Adams, the former safety, into the position. Walker still has a lot of untapped potential, especially as an outside linebacker in this 3-4 defense. He was often not played in a way that best suited his skill set. The Raiders will rely on him in a big way, and he could certainly deliver. No matter what, he is miles better than what Vegas already had.
Signing of LB Nakobe Dean: B+
No matter what, he’s better than what the Raiders already had. The price is great when you think about what he can be at his best. However, Dean has struggled with injuries throughout his career. Then again, the Raiders are bringing in a Super Bowl winner to teach this defense what it takes not only to be elite, but to win. Dean will be a great MIKE linebacker in Rob Leonard’s 3-4 defense.
Signing of C Tyler Linderbaum: A-
This is an A- grade simply because of the price. The Raiders had to overpay, and this move resets the market, something most teams don’t want to have to do, but will if they have to. The Raiders are a bad team with many unknowns over the last few years, so overpaying was always going to be the only option. $27 million per year for a center is a lot of money. However, this is still a high grade because it’s a valuable position they desperately needed, and one that allows them to for sure draft Fernando Mendoza No. 1 overall.
Signing of DE Kwity Paye: C+
The Raiders have just three edge rushers after trading Crosby, and only two—Tyree Wilson and Charles Snowden—have played significant snaps in the league. They needed an edge rusher in free agency, since they couldn’t draft many. Maybe just one who can contribute immediately. However, the lower-ish grade comes from the fact that there may have been opportunities out there to get better edge rushers like Boye Mafe or Odafe Oweh. Then again, Oweh got $25 million a year. This means Malcolm Koonce could get anywhere from $10 million to $20 million, given how teams are paying these players. Paye had a down year last season, but he has been very good before that. He’s still young, and there’s time to tap into some untapped potential. However, he won’t be a game wrecker on the edge for you in Year 1.
Signing of WR Jalen Nailor: B+
The Raiders are hoping Nailor is a breakout player, with his first big-time season with Vegas. However, banking on that in the first year of a rebuild, with a rookie quarterback and a rebuilt offensive line, could backfire. Then again, there’s a chance that Nailor is just amazing. And, let’s be honest, he’s probably a cheaper version of what everyone thought Vegas would get in former New Orleans Saints and Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed. This move is a B+ because of those things, but also because it’s giving Mendoza another weapon, and as many as possible, before he’s ever even been drafted. With these moves, it’s clear the Raiders are gearing up to draft Mendoza and surround him with talent. This approach gives them flexibility to pursue a WR1 in the 2026 NFL Draft, or they could see Nailor emerge as a breakout player.
Re-signing of CB Eric Stokes: A
This is an easy grade for so many reasons. One, it’s a cheap deal to a guy they love, who may be better than what he showed last season. And, they bring back someone who’s familiar with the new defensive coordinator, Rob Leonard. Stokes was the Raiders’ best cornerback last season, though that says more about the weakness of their secondary. Still, Stokes may have had the best year of his career, forced to cover more ground and compensate for his teammates’ mistakes every play. If the Raiders use their free agency money to add stronger players at key positions around Stokes, his performance could elevate even further, benefiting from a more talented supporting cast. Stokes is a player the organization wanted to bring back, as Spytek highlighted at the Combine. Now, Stokes will have the chance to prove that last year wasn’t a fluke.
Overall Grade: A-
I’m only giving it a minus on that A grade because the Raiders overpaid on a ton of these contracts. That’s what you have to do to land players when you’re a really bad team. However, not doing that would have given them room to make a few more minor additions. Instead, they are pretty much done outside of the NFL Draft.