The Las Vegas Raiders have already made significant moves this offseason—hiring Pete Carroll as head coach, trading for veteran quarterback Geno Smith, and selecting standout running back Ashton Jeanty in the first round of the draft. But with training camp approaching and ample cap space still available, the Raiders may not be done shaping their roster.
One of the team’s more recent moves was the signing of linebacker Germaine Pratt, who joined on a one-year deal shortly after being released by the Bengals. While the financial details of that contract have yet to be disclosed, it hasn’t impacted Las Vegas’ flexibility. The team still sits among the league leaders in available cap space, with more than $36 million on hand.
Pete Carroll, known for his aggressive team-building philosophy, made it clear that the Raiders remain in roster-building mode.
Las Vegas Raiders Could Be Far From Finished in Free Agency as Training Camp Nears
“You’re either competing or you’re not,” Carroll said, via ESPN. “We ain’t letting up now. There’s no time to turn away from having a chance to get a little bit better. So, we’ll be on it.”
Cornerback is one area where the team could look to improve. During OTAs and minicamp, the Raiders relied heavily on rookie Darien Porter and injury-plagued Eric Stokes. Porter, a seventh-round pick out of Iowa State, started just seven games in college, while Stokes has struggled to stay healthy throughout his NFL career. Jakorian Bennett, another corner in the mix, is returning from a torn labrum.
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That uncertainty has already led to some exploration. The Raiders recently hosted veteran corner Shaquill Griffin, a former Pro Bowler with ties to Carroll’s system in Seattle. Adding Griffin—or another experienced corner—could provide immediate stability to a secondary filled with questions.
Other notable free agents still available include Jalen Ramsey, Rasul Douglas, Mike Hilton, and Jaire Alexander, who was recently released by the Packers after battling injuries. While no formal links between Alexander and the Raiders have emerged, his upside and availability could make him a potential target given the team’s financial flexibility.
In years past, the Raiders might have stood pat at this point in the offseason. But under Carroll’s leadership and with plenty of cap space to wield, this team appears poised to continue tweaking the roster up until Week 1.