When NFL free agency begins March 12, the Las Vegas Raiders will have plenty of cash to improve the roster after a 4-13 season.
Las Vegas has at least $92.5M in cap space available, the second most among NFL teams, according to Over The Cap. That is certainly enough for the Raiders to add key pieces to a roster that needs help at several positions, including quarterback.
Las Vegas’ other positions of need are running back, wide receiver, offensive line and cornerback. The Raiders will look at their own free agents, and it wouldn’t be surprising if the team kept at least three defensive players (LB Robert Spillane, safety Tre’von Moehrig and defensive tackle Adam Butler).
Here are the three free-agent wide receivers who could be targeted by the Raiders.
Tee Higgins | Cincinnati Bengals
Assuming Higgins is not given the franchise tag by the Cincinnati Bengals, the Raiders should be all-in on signing the five-year wideout. At 6-foot-4, he would give whoever the QB is a big, reliable target.
Neither Aidan O’Connell (1,612 yards passing and eight TD passes) nor journeyman Gardner Minshew (2,013 yards passing, nine TD passes) distinguished himself at QB last season for the Raiders.
In 2024, Higgins had 911 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. He would be a great pairing with WR Jakobi Meyers. The 26-year-old would be a huge signing for the Raiders, who are seeking a true No. 1 receiver since trading Davante Adams to the New York Jets at midseason.
Chris Godwin | Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Raiders GM John Spytek is familiar with Godwin, 29, from his days in Tampa Bay’s front office from 2016-2024. It is natural to think Spytek will try to entice him to become a Raider.
In 2024, Godwin — whose contract voided after the season — had 576 yards receiving and five touchdowns in a season cut short because of an ankle injury in Week 7. His 2024 numbers indicate he was on his way to a 1,000-plus yards receiving and 10 touchdowns. Under new Raiders OC Chip Kelly, he could have a big role.
Darius Slayton | New York Giants
Slayton did not have a big season in 2024 because of a shaky QB situation. Now, he can go wherever he chooses. He had 700+ yards receiving in four of his first five seasons until finishing last season with 573 yards and two touchdowns in 16 games. A change of scenery will likely help Slayton, 28.
The key to signing Slayton could come down to if the Raiders sign a quality QB in free agency. Daniel Jones, Drew Lock and Tommy DeVito threw passes to Slayton during his Giants tenure. That’s not a group that will ever strike fear into many NFL defenses.
