Raiders Target Top Free Agents to Rebuild Roster

Las Vegas looks to free agency to accelerate team's turnaround after disastrous 2025 season.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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The Las Vegas Raiders are entering a pivotal offseason after a disastrous 3-14 campaign in 2025. With the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and over $91 million in salary cap space, the Raiders have the resources to quickly rebuild their roster through free agency. The team is expected to target center Tyler Linderbaum, wide receiver George Pickens, linebacker Devin Lloyd, and cornerback Jamel Dean to address key needs on both offense and defense.

Why it matters

The Raiders are in a rare position to accelerate their rebuild through free agency, having the top draft pick and significant cap space. Signing high-impact veterans like Linderbaum, Pickens, Lloyd, and Dean could provide the necessary supporting cast to ensure success for the team's future franchise quarterback.

The details

The Raiders' 2025 season quickly unraveled, as the team stumbled to a 3-14 record under the brief tenure of head coach Pete Carroll. Offensively, the team struggled to score, ranking last in the league at just 14.2 points per game. Defensively, the Raiders had trouble getting off the field, despite the continued elite play of defensive end Maxx Crosby. With the No. 1 overall pick and $91.5 million in cap space, the Raiders have the resources to aggressively pursue top free agents to build a supporting cast around their future franchise quarterback.

  • The Raiders closed the 2025 season with a surprise victory over the Kansas City Chiefs.
  • The Raiders enter the 2026 offseason with approximately $91.5 million in available cap space.

The players

Tyler Linderbaum

A technically polished center who can stabilize the Raiders' offensive line and provide protection and communication for the team's future quarterback.

George Pickens

A dynamic wide receiver coming off a career season with the Dallas Cowboys, Pickens would bring an explosive dimension to the Raiders' passing game.

Devin Lloyd

A versatile linebacker who can impact the game in all phases, Lloyd would provide the leadership and playmaking ability the Raiders' defense lacked in 2025.

Jamel Dean

A shutdown cornerback who can eliminate one side of the field, Dean would be a crucial addition to the Raiders' secondary in a division featuring high-powered passing attacks.

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What’s next

The Raiders will look to finalize their free agent signings in the coming weeks to complement their top draft pick and set the team up for a potential turnaround in the 2026 season.

The takeaway

The Raiders have a rare opportunity to quickly rebuild their roster through the combination of the No. 1 overall draft pick and significant salary cap space. By targeting high-impact free agents like Linderbaum, Pickens, Lloyd, and Dean, the team can provide the necessary supporting cast to ensure success for their future franchise quarterback and begin the process of restoring the Raiders' identity as a competitive, physical team.