New Las Vegas Raiders head coach Pete Carroll and GM John Spytek are embracing their opportunities with one of the NFL’s more downtrodden franchises.
That’s a good thing because they have an arduous challenge to turn around the Raiders, who finished 6-11, 8-9 and 4-13 over the past three seasons.
“”You’re all wondering about timelines and all of that,” Carroll, 73, told reporters earlier this week. “It took us a few years to get to the very top of the last couple programs I was with (Seattle, Southern Cal). … We don’t have some time that we’ve got to make it five, six or years down the road. That’s not what we’re thinking. We’ve got to start right now to go after it and build this team as quickly as we can.”
Below are the five positions the Raiders must fix and who would be the best fits for them through free agency and early in the draft.
In addition to the No. 6 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Raiders have a second-round pick, two thirds (including one from Davante Adams trade to the Jets) and one pick in each of the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh rounds.
Quarterback
The Raiders must go with a veteran at this position to compete against division rivals Patrick Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs), Justin Herbert (Los Angeles Chargers) and Bo Nix (Denver Broncos).
Justin Fields and Russell Wilson, who are pending free agents of the Pittsburgh Steelers, will be available. Wilson and Carroll had a falling out in Seattle but reportedly have reconciled and remain close, NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport said.
Another option could be Seattle’s Geno Smith, who has one year left on his contract.
“I think he’s got a lot of good football left,” The Athletic’s Raiders beat writer Vic Tafur recently told Gregg Bell of The Tacoma News Tribune.
Per The News Tribune, however, Seattle coach Mike Macdonald recently said, “I feel like Geno is the best for the team right now.”
Best free-agency fits: Wilson, Fields or Smith
Best fits in draft: Shedeur Sanders (Colorado), Jaxson Dart (Mississippi)
Running back
This position is thin because Alexander Mattison and Ameer Abdullah will be unrestricted free agents and could depart. Las Vegas could easily nab a running back in the free-agent market.
Best free-agency fits: Najee Harris (Steelers) or Nick Chubb (Cleveland Browns)
Best fits in draft: Ashton Jeanty (Boise State), Omarion Hampton (North Carolina)
Defensive end
Malcolm Koonce missed the season because of a knee injury during training camp. Still, the Raiders should bring him back. K’Lavon Chaisson, another Raiders pending unrestricted free agent, shined in his absence.
Best free-agency fits: Koonce (Raiders), Chaisson (Raiders) and Chase Young (New Orleans Saints)
Best fits in draft: Abdul Carter (Penn State), J.T. Tuimoloau (Ohio State)
Defensive tackle
This was a solid position for the Raiders in 2024 despite the loss of Christian Wilkins because of a foot injury for most of the season. Adam Butler played well, but he’s an unrestricted free agent.
Best fits in free agency: Butler (Raiders), Jarran Reed (Seahawks), Greg Gaines (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
Best fits in draft: Mason Graham (Michigan), Omarr Norman-Lott (Tennessee)
Defensive back
The Raiders, who clearly need help at this position, could lose unrestricted free-agent safeties Tre’von Moehrig and Marcus Epps. At cornerback, Nate Hobbs is also an UFA. The Raiders need him back.
Best free-agency fits: Moehrig (Raiders), Epps (Raiders), Hobbs (Raiders), CB D.J. Reed (New York Jets), CB Jonathan Jones (New England Patriots), safety Marcus Williams (Baltimore Ravens).
Best fits in draft: Will Johnson (Michigan), Andrew Mukuba
(Texas)
