Raiders on the Verge of a Free Agency Coup: Las Vegas Emerge as the Landing Spot for Top NFL Superstars

Armed with the second-most cap space in the NFL at $93.5 million, the Las Vegas Raiders are in position to make some major splash moves this offseason.

While general manager John Spytek and head coach Pete Carroll were fantastic moves, they inherit a roster with precious few consistent playmakers. Outside of tight end Brock Bowers and defensive end Maxx Crosby, it is hard to determine where production will come from in 2025.

The Raiders have several questions to answer, and have the necessary resources at their disposal to answer at least most of them. Therefore, the first offseason in the Carroll-Spytek era is crucial for success in the short and long term.

Pro Football Focus’ Mason Cameron compiled a list of the best free agents available on both offense and defense, and the Raiders were considered the best landing spot for three of them.

First, Cameron projects the Raiders to make a run for the best free agent quarterback in the Minnesota Vikings’ Sam Darnold.

“Although the redemption arc of Darnold returning to New York would be poetic, the Jets have too many questions at quarterback and likely not enough cap space to facilitate a deal for their former No. 3 overall pick,” wrote Cameron. “However, Las Vegas projects to hold the second-most cap space this offseason and currently sits outside of the range of one of the top passers in the 2025 NFL Draft.”

Carroll’s presence with the Raiders could complicate this somewhat, especially due to his familiarity with fellow free agent quarterback Russell Wilson. However, Darnold’s career renaissance in Minnesota is difficult to ignore.

Signing Darnold to a deal similar to Baker Mayfield’s three-year, $100 million extension with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last year would ensure some stability at the quarterback position, something the Raiders are in desperate need of.

To ease Darnold in the confines of his new home, Cameron has the Raiders targeting another Viking in running back Aaron Jones.

“Despite pushing 30 years old and finding a new home, Jones continued to perform with an exceptional level of consistency in Minnesota, having never produced a regular season below a 75.0 PFF overall grade,” Cameron said. “Armed with a new career-high mark in rushing yardage (1,138), Jones again enters the market.”

While Jones put together one of the best seasons of his career in Minnesota, his stock might still be reduced due to his age and the general depreciation of the running back position outside of the elite players.

The Raiders sported the worst rushing attack in the NFL last season, something that Carroll will be dead-set on changing. Adding Jones serves as a low-risk, medium-to-high-reward signing that can help push the Raiders to marked improvement.

On the defensive side of the ball, Cameron has the Raiders targeting a division rival and signing Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Asante Samuel Jr.

“A shoulder injury sidelined Samuel after just four games in 2024, capping a challenging year under first-year defensive coordinator Jesse Minter,” Cameron mentioned. “Despite the setback, Samuel’s youth and strong track record — including 75.0-plus coverage grades in both 2022 and 2023 — make him an attractive option in free agency.”

Samuel was one of the few Chargers players to not benefit from the coaching change to Jim Harbaugh, leaving him likely on the outs for 2025. With Jack Jones struggling last season, the Raiders find themselves without a true lockdown cornerback to patrol one side of the field.

Samuel does have some concerns, mostly related to his shoulder injury and struggles in run defense. However, the Raiders can place him in a position to succeed and let him reach his full potential, which was so close to being realized in Los Angeles.

All three of the players mentioned here fill significant needs for the Raiders, and they have the cap space needed to bring all of them aboard, plus more.

Should the Raiders succeed in signing these three, that will serve as the backbone for a strong offseason.