Raiders Must Let 7 Players Walk in Free Agency

Las Vegas has a long list of in-house free agents hitting the market, forcing a tougher, more selective approach.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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The Las Vegas Raiders are heading into the 2026 league year with a long list of in-house free agents hitting the market. The team will need to make tough decisions on who to keep and who to let go, as they can't afford to retain everyone. This article outlines seven Raiders free agents who the team should let walk in free agency during the NFL offseason.

Why it matters

The Raiders have a number of key free agents this offseason, and they'll need to be selective in who they choose to re-sign in order to build the best possible roster within their salary cap constraints. Letting certain players walk could free up cap space to address other needs on the team.

The details

The seven Raiders free agents the article says the team should let walk are: DE Malcolm Koonce, QB Kenny Pickett, K Daniel Carlson, LB Jamal Adams, WR Tyler Lockett, CB Eric Stokes, and OT Stone Forsythe. The article argues that while these players have value, the Raiders should let them test the open market rather than overpaying to retain them, as the team needs to focus on getting younger and more explosive on offense and defense.

  • The 2026 NFL league year opens on March 11.

The players

Malcolm Koonce

A defensive end who could get priced like a centerpiece if the market is hungry for edge help, but the Raiders should let him cash in elsewhere while they build their front with younger, cheaper bodies.

Kenny Pickett

A quarterback who has been a headline part of the Raiders' free-agent list, but the team should let the market set his value as a bridge or high-end backup QB elsewhere.

Daniel Carlson

A steady kicker, but the Raiders can replace kicker production without spending premium dollars and use that cap space on positions that actually decide playoff games.

Jamal Adams

A linebacker whose peak reputation may exceed his current value, and the Raiders can find speed and reliability on defense for less than paying him starter money.

Tyler Lockett

A respected wide receiver, but the Raiders need to get younger and more explosive at the position rather than paying for nostalgia contracts.

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What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This article highlights the Raiders' need to be selective in free agency, letting go of certain players in order to build the best possible roster within their salary cap constraints. By avoiding overpaying for nostalgia or reputation, the team can focus on getting younger, more explosive, and better positioned for long-term success.