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Latest On Raiders’ Secondary Plans

June 23rd, 2025 at 9:01am CST by Adam La Rose

The free agent departures of Tre’von Moehrig and Nate Hobbs created notable vacancies in the secondary for Las Vegas. The team will have a number of new faces in place this year as a result, and training camp will see multiple battles for starting spots take place.

During OTAs, free agent addition Eric Stokes and third-round rookie Darien Porter handled starting duties at the cornerback spots. Those two are in line to remain atop the depth chart through the summer as a result, but other options will content for a fist-team gig. One of those is Jakorian Bennett, whom The Athletic’s Tashan Reed notes is the top contender to earn a starter’s role during training camp (subscription required).

Bennett joined the Raiders as a fourth-round pick in 2023. He notched four starts as a rookie before seeing a notable jump in playing time last year. The 24-year-old logged a 71% snap share on defense, totaling eight pass breakups and managing to avoid allowing a touchdown as the nearest defender in coverage. Bennett has two years remaining on his rookie deal, so he will provide the Raiders with a cost-effective CB option even if he is unable to unseat Stokes and Porter this summer (an effort which will be aided once he recovers in full from a torn labrum suffered in November).

Darnay Holmes – who was only a part-time defender in 2024, his debut season with the Raiders – is in line to handle a notable role in the slot, Reed adds. Vegas could use a number of three-safety looks this season, though, especially given free agent addition Jeremy Chinn‘s tendency to play near the line of scrimmage. In cases where three safeties were used this spring, Lonnie Johnson Jr. came onto the field. The seven-year veteran could therefore find himself handling a notable workload on his latest team.

While the Raiders are not in the market for Jalen Ramsey, they have the cap space to make an addition or two in the secondary. One veteran corner who could be of interest, per Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal, is Mike Hilton. The 31-year-old remains on the free agent market with his four-year Bengals run having come to an end. A veteran of 123 games and 56 starts, Hilton would give the Raiders another experienced option in the slot.

Plenty of time remains for the team to make moves affecting the secondary. Regardless of what takes place during the first training camp with the new regime, though, that unit will be one to watch closely.

Raiders Eyeing Increased Role For TE Michael Mayer?

June 22nd, 2025 at 7:33pm CST by Adam La Rose

Michael Mayer has not lived up to expectations early in his NFL career. The Raiders tight end was a trade target this earlier this offseason, but with no deal taking place he is set to remain in Vegas.

During his rookie season, Mayer missed three contests and was limited to a total of just 27 receptions. Last April, the Raiders replaced him in the starting lineup with Brock Bowers, a decision which paid immediate dividends. Bowers earned first-team All-Pro acclaim in 2024 and represents a focal point on offense for many years to come.

While Bowers was breaking multiple records last season, Mayer missed six games due to personal reasons. The latter was limited to just 156 yards and failed to score a touchdown. Despite having two years left on his rookie contract, it thus came as little surprise when the new Raiders regime showed a willingness to trade Mayer. While interest was shown, the former second-rounder stayed in place and received plenty of attention during spring practices. The Raiders could have an expanded workload in mind.

“I thought Mike had a great offseason,’ head coach Pete Carroll said (via Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal). “We started out going heart to heart with him to understand what we’re all about. And he embraced it and took it as well as anybody could take the challenge of bringing it day in and day out. He had a great camp.”

Offensive coordinator Chip Kelly has spoken about his affinity for multi-tight end formations, and relying on those would be key in allowing Mayer to see the field in 2025. Vegas has Jakobi Meyers along with Tre Tucker and rookies Jack Bech and Dont’e Thornton in place at the receiver spot. Especially as the younger options at the position develop, though, Bowers and Mayer could be leaned on in the passing game.

The Raiders will have Geno Smith in place under center after reuniting him with Carroll. The team did so while choosing to avoid – among other things – a free agent pursuit of Sam Darnold. Improved play at the quarterback spot could help team’s offense in general and Mayer’s production in particular as he looks to take a step forward in Year 3. A notable workload in tandem with Bowers would certainly go a long way in that regard.

Tom Brady Preferred Raiders Avoid Signing Sam Darnold

June 20th, 2025 at 10:30pm CST by Adam La Rose

With the Vikings electing to hand the reins over to 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy, Sam Darnold predictably departed on the open market this offseason. The latter wound up taking a three-year deal with the Seahawks to assume starting quarterback duties.

Before that took place, Darnold was linked to a number of potential suitors as the top signal-caller in free agency. The Raiders were among the teams which made a notable move under center this spring, trading for Geno Smith once it became clear he and the Seahawks were not close on extension terms. Darnold’s predecessor is now on the books with Vegas thanks to the new regime which is overseeing the franchise.

That setup includes head coach Pete Carroll, general manager John Spytek and minority owner Tom Brady. Once the seven-time Super Bowl winner’s ownership bid was approved, he immediately took on a notable role within the organization. Brady has been heavily involved in a number of Raiders decisions this offseason, and to little surprise that includes the acquisition of a new starting quarterback.

On that note, Mike Silver of the Athletic reports Brady did not support Vegas signing Darnold in free agency (subscription required). 2024 saw the former No. 3 pick enjoy an impressive run with the Vikings up to the team’s regular season finale and wild-card loss. Darnold nevertheless secured $100.5MM on his Seattle pact, one which contains a potential out as early as next March. Instead of making a similar investment, the Raiders traded for Smith and extended him on a two-year, $75MM pact.

That move will give Vegas short-term stability under center as the team looks to compete in the AFC West beginning in 2025. At the age of 28, Darnold is six years younger than Smith but the latter has experience working with Carroll dating back to their time together in Seattle. A productive reunion between the two would help a Raiders offense which finished 29th in scoring last season.

Of course, Carroll and Spytek were heavily involved in the decision to trade for Smith and thus settle the QB spot for the time being. The fact Brady preferred not to go the Darnold route was no doubt something which carried considerable weight, though, and it will be a factor in evaluating how the Raiders’ approach winds up playing out.

Raiders Not Interested In CB Jalen Ramsey

June 20th, 2025 at 2:02pm CST by Adam La Rose

One of the major cornerback dominoes recently fell with Jaire Alexander electing to join the Ravens. That leaves Jalen Ramsey in place as a high-profile cover man still available via trade.

It has long been known Ramsey and the Dolphins will pursue a parting of ways this offseason. With the calendar having flipped to June, a trade is much more feasible for the team from a cap perspective. However, Ramsey is still on the books with Miami and the list of teams known to be interested remains rather short.

The Rams have been named on more than one occasion as a potential landing spot for Ramsey. The three-time All-Pro played 63 combined regular and postseason games for Los Angeles and was a member of the Super Bowl LVI-winning team. Head coach Sean McVay has spoken about pursuing a reunion, but over the past month no indications of progress have emerged on that front.

In the meantime, few updates to this situation have taken place. The Panthers are among the teams which can be ruled out as a landing spot for the seven-time Pro Bowler. It appears the same is also true in the case of the Raiders. Ramsey is not a target at this point, Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal writes.

While things could of course change during the summer, that update points to Ramsey winding up with the Rams or another, currently unknown, suitor. At the age of 30, interested parties will be hesitant about trading away draft capital in addition to taking on the remaining guarantees (totaling roughly $21MM) in his scheduled 2025 compensation. A release could garner consideration in the event Ramsey – who was an excused absence from mandatory minicamp – were to remain on the Dolphins’ roster deep into the summer.

The Raiders have over $36MM in cap space at the moment, so they could afford a high-priced acquisition such as Ramsey. Unlike in past years, the team could be prepared to make a splash late in the offseason, and many have specifically pointed to the cornerback spot as one which could be of interest regarding an addition. Vegas’ setup in the secondary is yet to be determined given the number of new faces in place, but Ramsey should not be expected to become one of them.

Raiders Considering Free Agent Additions

June 17th, 2025 at 10:38am CST by Adam La Rose

The Raiders moved quickly in making a free agent addition earlier this month. Shortly after Germaine Pratt was released by the Bengals, the veteran linebacker agreed to a one-year Vegas deal.

For the most part, free agency around the NFL has quieted down with the break between spring practices and training camp looming. The Raiders find themselves near the top of the league in terms of cap space at the moment, however, so further additions could be in store. Head coach Pete Carroll recently spoke on that point.

“You’re either competing or you’re not,” Carroll said (via ESPN’s Ryan McFadden). “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.”

The cap impact of the Pratt deal is not yet official, but it will of course not hinder Vegas’ ability to make other moves on the open market. The Raiders currently have just over $36MM in cap space, once again finding themselves in position to make multiple moves deep into the offseason. In years past, they have avoided doing so; Carroll’s comments certainly leave the door open to a different approach, though.

As McFadden notes, cornerback would represent a clear target in the event the Raiders were to pursue a signing. The team has plenty of uncertainty in the secondary at this point, with starting spots and depth roles up for grabs at the cornerback spot. Vegas recently hosted Shaquill Griffin on a visit, a sign of interest between team and player. Adding Griffin would give the Raiders a veteran of 82 starts and a contender to handle a large workload in 2025.

In addition to Griffin, the likes of Jaire Alexander, Rasul Douglas and Asante Samuel Jr. are unsigned at this point. Fellow corner Jalen Ramsey remains a high-profile trade target, although no Vegas links have emerged on that front. Nevertheless, the team will have the financial wherewithal to make one or more notable additions at that position or others this summer.

Raiders Could Field New-Look Starting Secondary

June 14th, 2025 at 5:18pm CST by Ely Allen

Looking at how things are going in offseason workouts so far, there’s a chance that the Raiders could see only one starter from last year’s secondary return with the first-team defense in 2025. We already saw a free agent exchange at safety, with Tre’von Moehrig being replaced by Jeremy Chinn after signing with the Panthers. Now, according to ESPN’s Ryan McFadden, both of last year’s starting cornerbacks are working with the second team this summer.

In his report earlier this week, McFadden noted that, so far in Organized Team Activities, it’s been free agent addition Eric Stokes and rookie third-round pick Darien Porter running on the first-team defense, while Jakorian Bennett and Decamerion Richardson, who tied for the second-most starts in the team’s cornerbacks room last year, are getting reps on the second team.

This shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise. Last year, the Raiders didn’t have a single cornerback rank in the top half of players at the position with enough snaps to qualify for Pro Football Focus’s rankings system (subscription required). Nate Hobbs (72nd of 116) was the highest ranked corner on the team, and Jack Jones (102nd) was cut after starting 16 games in 2024. Bennett (85th) and Richardson (114th) were then tasked with holding off Stokes, who ranked 72nd in Green Bay last year, and the rookie, Porter.

Though Stokes has never started for a full season, he’s got plenty of experience on first-team defenses after starting 32 of 45 appearances during his time with the Packers. Statistically and analytically, Stokes’ rookie campaign was by far his best. That year, he started 14 games, nabbed an interception, and registered 14 passes defensed, earning him a ranking of 45th out of 116 cornerbacks, per PFF. After a disappointing start to his sophomore season, injuries set in. Stokes ended up missing 22 of 25 games leading up to last year, when he appeared in every game of the season.

Porter’s early starting role comes as a bit of a surprise. Coming into the NFL at 24 years old after a six-year collegiate career at Iowa State, Porter only has seven starts under his belt. Originally a wide receiver commit for the Cyclones, Porter switched to cornerback in his fourth year with the team. After serving as a rotational defender in his first two year on defense, Porter got all seven starts in his sixth year as the team’s CB3. After only seeing four passes defensed in his first two defensive seasons, Porter broke out last year with five passes defensed and three interceptions. That meteoric rise appears set to continue in Las Vegas.

A fourth-round pick two years ago, Bennett started four games as a rookie. He started seven of the team’s first 10 games last season as he tried to play through a torn labrum, per Tashan Reed of The Athletic, but the injury worsened and led Bennett to undergo season-ending surgery. Now, Bennett has two hurdles to overcome as he attempts to earn back a starting role while trying to get back to form following the surgery. Richardson was the one to step in for Bennett in the starting lineup to close out the season. Quarterbacks targeting Richardson completed 30 of 46 passes for 459 yards and three touchdowns during his rookie season.

We still have a long way to go before the start of the season, so any number of updates could change the outlook for the depth chart. At the moment, though, it’s looking like safety Isaiah Pola-Mao could be the only starter from last year’s secondary to return to his role in 2025.

NFL Minor Transactions: 6/12/25

June 12th, 2025 at 8:22pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s minor moves:

Las Vegas Raiders

New York Jets

The Jets made a handful of moves at the bottom of their roster, bringing in a pair of lineman on both sides of the ball. Kingsley Jonathan brings the most experience, as the defensive end has appeared in 20 career games, with the majority of his playing time coming on special teams. Marquis Hayes, a former seventh-round pick by the Cardinals, has yet to appear in an NFL game.

OT Kolton Miller Wants To Spend Rest Of Career With Raiders

June 12th, 2025 at 8:11pm CST by Ben Levine

Kolton Miller is one of the Raiders’ longest-tenured players, but the veteran lineman is heading into the 2025 season with lame-duck status. While it seems unlikely that the impending free agent will ink an extension before Week 1, Miller is making it clear that he wants to spend the rest of his career with the organization.

“I want to be a Raider for life,” Miller told Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal. “I love it here. I don’t want to go anywhere else.”

Miller inked a three-year, $54MM extension with the Raiders back in 2021 that would keep him with the organization through the 2025 campaign. According to Bonsignore, the two sides aren’t close on a new deal, and Miller is currently attached to no guaranteed money. Still, the veteran was present for the start of mandatory minicamp earlier this week.

A former first-round pick, Miller has appeared in 109 games for the organization through seven professional seasons. He’s remained relatively healthy throughout his career, missing only seven regular-season contests. After being limited to a career-low 13 appearances in 2023, Miller rebounded by starting all 17 games for the Raiders this past season. Pro Football Focus ended up grading him 13th among 81 qualifying offensive tackles in 2024.

While Miller will still anchor the Raiders offensive line in 2025, the team may have started preparing for his potential exit. The team used a third-round pick in this year’s draft on Charles Grant, and this followed their 2024 third-round selection of OT Delmar Glaze. That latter lineman ended up starting 14 games as a rookie and is penciled in as the starting right tackle heading into the 2025 campaign.

CB Shaquill Griffin Visits Raiders

June 12th, 2025 at 6:16pm CST by Ben Levine

Shaquill Griffin remains unsigned, but he’s apparently drawing some interest from his former coach. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports that the veteran cornerback visited the Raiders.

Griffin was a third-round pick by the Seahawks back in 2017 and proceeded to spend the first four seasons of his career playing under Pete Carroll. He left the Seahawks for a lucrative three-year offer from the Jaguars but he only made it through two seasons of that pact before getting released.

Since hitting free agency for the second time in his career in 2023, Griffin has bounced around the NFL a bit, spending time with the Texans, Panthers, and Vikings. He got into all 17 games for Minnesota this past season, collecting 41 tackles and a pair of interceptions while appearing in about half of his team’s defensive snaps.

Following the completion of his one-year deal with the Vikings, it’s been a relatively quiet offseason for the 29-year-old. He was briefly connected to a potential reunion with the Seahawks, although it’s been more than a month of zero progress on that front. Now, the veteran is apparently considering a reunion with his former head coach.

Besides the obvious connection to the coaching staff, Griffin would also fill a bit of a need for the Raiders. The team’s currently sorting through their options at cornerback, with the group including free agent acquisition Eric Stokes, rookie Darien Porter, and former starter Jakorian Bennett.

Raiders, LB Germaine Pratt Agree To Deal

June 11th, 2025 at 9:55pm CST by Adam La Rose

Germaine Pratt has managed to find his next opportunity rather quickly. Shortly after being released by the Bengals, the veteran linebacker has lined up a Raiders agreement.

Pratt will head to Vegas on a one-year deal, as first reported by Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz. The pact has a maximum value of $4.78MM. Pratt will collect $4.25MM in base pay, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network adds.

For most of his six-year career, Pratt operated as a full-time starter at the second level of Cincinnati’s defense. Multiple indications pointed to a parting of ways taking place this offseason, however. That became official when the 29-year-old was released earlier this week. Pratt clearly drew immediate interest on the open market.

Indeed, Schultz notes several teams reached out once he became a free agent. Pratt has 88 starts to his name, and he has increased his tackle figures every year of his career. The former third-rounder has totaled 261 stops across the past two seasons, adding four interceptions, four forced fumbles and nine pass deflections during that time. Another productive campaign with his latest team could help Pratt land a multi-year commitment in free agency next spring.

In the aftermath of the Bengals’ decision to move on, many pointed to the Colts as a logical Pratt suitor. Former Cincinnati defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo is now Indianapolis’ DC, so a reunion would have provided the Colts with a first-team linebacker option familiar with the team’s scheme. Instead, Pratt will work with new Raiders head coach Pete Carroll and returning D-coordinator Patrick Graham.

The Raiders ranked 25th in points allowed last season, but the team finished 15th in total defense. Similarly, Vegas finished 13th against the run, and improvement in that regard will be a goal for the first year with Carrol at the helm. Pratt will look to provide the team with a veteran presence at the LB spot, and the base value of his late-offseason deal suggests a starting spot awaits him.

Robert Spillane and Divine Deablo departed in free agency. Vegas brought in a veteran in the form of Elandon Roberts while also taking a flier on former top-five pick Devin White (a familiar face to general manager John Spytek given their time together in Tampa Bay). Seventh-round rookie Cody Lindenberg will compete for a depth/special teams role, but the new-look linebacker setup leaves room for an established contributor. Pratt will look to fit that description in 2025.

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