Las Vegas Raiders News & Rumors

Raiders Notes: Hobbs, Pass Rush, Jacobs

June 25th, 2023 at 9:47am CST by Rory Parks

Let’s round up a few notes on the NFL’s Sin City franchise:

Raiders cornerback Nate Hobbs, a fifth-round pick in 2021, earned nine starts in his first professional season and started all 11 contests he appeared in last year (he missed six games with a broken hand). Working primarily as a boundary corner, the Illinois product regressed a bit from his strong rookie campaign, when he spent most of his time in the slot. Per Vic Tafur and Tashan Reed of The Athletic (subscription required), Hobbs would like to return to nickelback, where he apparently feels more comfortable. However, Tyler Hall, who played in seven games (three starts) for Las Vegas in 2022 after joining the club’s taxi squad in October, is expected to push Hobbs for that role.
During this year’s predraft process, we learned that the Raiders were eyeing Texas Tech edge rusher Tyree Wilson and believed that Wilson (or a similar player) could ease some of the burden on Chandler Jones, thereby making Jones more productive after the veteran underwhelmed during his first season in Vegas. Of course, the club ended up selecting Wilson with the No. 7 overall pick, and as Albert Breer of SI.com writes, the Raiders hope that Wilson’s presence will allow both the 33-year-old Jones and soon-to-be 26-year-old Maxx Crosby to see less time on the field. The coaching staff envisions a rotation among the three players to keep everyone fresh, healthy, and productive. Indeed, Wilson himself saw his final college season cut short due to a Lisfranc injury, though he is expected to be cleared in time for training camp.
The Raiders also want to create more of a rotation for their running backs. Assuming franchise-tagged RB Josh Jacobs does not hold out — both he and the club are reportedly motivated to strike an accord on a multiyear deal prior to the July 17 deadline — he will obviously be the feature back. But as Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal writes, the team wants to expand the roles of 2022 draftees Zamir White and Brittain Brown in an effort to ease Jacobs’ workload and, perhaps, to begin preparing for a Jacobs departure in 2024.

Assault Charge Against Davante Adams Dropped

June 24th, 2023 at 10:34pm CST by Ben Levine

Earlier this month, a prosecutor dismissed the misdemeanor assault charges against wideout Davante Adams, a spokeswoman for the Kansas City municipal court told Robert A. Cronkleton of the Kansas City Star. The charges stemmed from a post-game incident at Arrowhead Stadium back in October.

Following the Raiders’ Week 5 loss to the Chiefs in Kansas City, Adams allegedly shoved a cameraman to the ground, injuring the individual. Video of the incident was captured on the live broadcast. The receiver later apologized for the confrontation.

Adams was charged with the crime shortly thereafter. The charges were dismissed on June 5, and per Cronkleton, the charge “is now considered a closed confidential case under Missouri law.” Adams still faces a civil lawsuit filed by the cameraman, who claims he was diagnosed with a concussion and “feared for his life” during the incident. The individual claims he’s also been harassed online.

As we noted back in May, it was believed the NFL would await the outcome of the misdemeanor charges before deciding on any fine or suspension. The NFL could still realistically discipline Adams under their personal conduct policy, but yesterday’s development likely helps the receiver’s case in that regard.

During his first season in Las Vegas, Adams earned another first-team All-Pro nod after finishing with 100 catches for 1,516 yards and 14 touchdowns. Next season, Adams will be playing with his third QB in three years, as the Raiders replaced Derek Carr with Jimmy Garoppolo.

TE Darren Waller Not Surprised By Raiders Trade

June 24th, 2023 at 10:09am CST by Ben Levine

Darren Waller struggled to find his footing with new head coach Josh McDaniels leading the way in Las Vegas. Even after the tight end inked a three-year, $51MM extension last offseason, there were rumblings that he had become a source of frustration within the organization during the 2022 season.

Waller was ultimately traded to the Giants back in March, and the tight end acknowledged that the move didn’t come as a huge surprise.

“Not totally shocked,” Waller told Adam Hill of the Las Vegas Review-Journal. “I had heard some things. There were different moments throughout the year that I heard I may be traded or I may not. So the actual event of it wasn’t too shocking.

“But I didn’t expect it to be the Giants.”

Following 1,000-yard seasons in 2019 and 2020, Waller was limited to only 11 games in 2021. He missed another eight games in 2022, a factor that likely contributed to the organization’s frustrations. It seemed like rival teams were aware of the disconnect between Waller and the coaching staff; we heard that the Packers tried to trade for the player midseason, and agent Drew Rosenhaus confirmed that the front office even shopped Waller last offseason.

So, when Waller was ultimately traded, the move naturally didn’t come as a huge shock to the 30-year-old. Waller admitted that he was surprised that he was dealt to New York, perhaps because they hadn’t been definitively listed as a suitor (the only two reported teams that had shown interest were the Packers and Dolphins).

On paper, the Giants seemed like a logical landing spot. The team didn’t do much last season to replace Evan Engram, leaning mostly on Daniel Bellinger at tight end. In New York, Waller should emerge as one of Daniel Jones‘ top targets, and the tight end is excited about the opportunity.

“It’s been great,” Waller said of his Giants experience. “It’s been a great challenge. I love a good challenge and just forming a new relationship with my teammates. They’re really excited about winning. They’re really solid about doing things the right way and continuing to build a foundation on what they started last year. I’m just excited to be a part of it.”

Raiders Not Closing Door On Josh Jacobs Extension

June 23rd, 2023 at 5:35pm CST by Sam Robinson

Some recent cryptic social media posts from Josh Jacobs would seem to suggest the franchise-tagged running back is displeased with his Raiders talks. The reigning rushing champion has just more than three weeks to reach an extension agreement.

Less has come out regarding the Raiders’ long-term plans with Jacobs compared to the Giants’ negotiations with Saquon Barkley. While at least two known Giants offers have surfaced, no numbers have emerged in the Jacobs-Raiders talks. This could point to no true negotiations having taken place, even after the key Raiders decision-makers have praised the former first-round pick this offseason. As of April, no serious talks had begun. Conversely, the Giants had already submitted the two offers to Barkley (and rescinded them) by that point.

The quiet nature of these talks aside, Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal notes both sides are motivated to reach an agreement before the July 17 deadline. The Raiders not simply viewing this as a potential rental year is notable, but it is clear a sizable gap needs to be bridged between team and player before an agreement can be expected.

Devalued significantly over the past decade and change, the running back position has taken more lumps this offseason. Two of the top four RB contracts — given to Ezekiel Elliott (2019) and Dalvin Cook (2020) — are no longer active, with the Cowboys and Vikings moving on from their longtime starters. This year’s top free agency RB contract (Miles Sanders‘ $6.35MM-per-year Panthers pact) checked in nearly $10MM south of Christian McCaffrey‘s long-position-topping AAV. It is safe to assume Jacobs, Barkley and Tony Pollard would have done better if allowed to hit the market, but it does not look like any of the tagged backs are in position to threaten McCaffrey’s $16MM-per-year position record.

While six running back deals at or north of $11.5MM per year remain, the Packers gave Aaron Jones a pay cut — in exchange for additional 2023 guarantees — and the Bengals have long prepared to impose a slash on Joe Mixon‘s $12MM-AAV accord. The bottom drops out after the Jones deal, with James Conner‘s $7MM-per-year Cardinals contract the only one between Sanders’ and the eight-figure-per-year crowd. Jacobs obviously will have his sights set on checking in near the McCaffrey-Alvin Kamara tier ($15MM-plus per annum), but if the Raiders are comfortable with his $10.9MM tag salary being on the books, the fifth-year back carries minimal leverage.

Jacobs, 25, did not enter the NFL with a heavy college workload (just 251 carries in three Alabama seasons), but he totaled an NFL-leading 393 touches last season. Of the four backs who topped that over the past 10 years (McCaffrey, DeMarco Murray, Le’Veon Bell and Derrick Henry), each failed to come close to matching their production the following year. McCaffrey and Henry suffered injuries in 2020 and 2021, respectively, while Murray gained just 702 yards in 15 Eagles games in 2015. Bell sat out the 2018 season, protesting a second Steelers tag, but was never the same upon returning to action.

Through that lens, it would probably behoove Jacobs to cash in now. An injury could affect his 2024 value. But without knowing what the Raiders are offering — or if a firm offer has been put on the table — it is difficult to assess his strategy. He is tied to a $10.9MM guarantee, but that money does not become locked in until he signs his franchise tender.

Jacobs, Barkley and Jaguars tight end Evan Engram have not signed their respective tenders and thus can skip training camp free of fines. While Barkley has pocketed nearly $40MM in his career, Jacobs has barely made a fourth of that ($11.9MM). The latter should not be considered a live candidate to skip regular-season games. Rookie-deal earnings aside, neither should Barkley. The threat of missed game checks has given teams leverage in negotiations with tagged players since the tag’s 1993 inception.

Jacobs is the first Raiders tag recipient since Tyvon Branch in 2012. The former Oakland safety reached an extension agreement, but Jacobs is in a more complicated position. Will this end in a deal before July 17?

TE Marcedes Lewis Eyeing 18th Season, Has Spoken With Teams

June 22nd, 2023 at 4:55pm CST by Sam Robinson

The list of tight ends to play into their late 30s is short, but a few have joined Marcedes Lewis in logging an age-38 season. Antonio Gates, Jason Witten and Hall of Famer Jackie Smith did so. Only Ben Watson has voyaged into an age-39 campaign.

Lewis, who turned 39 last month, is attempting to join Watson and set a tight end record in the process. While Watson played until age 39, he suited up in 16 seasons. Lewis, Witten and Tony Gonzalez are the only two to reach 17. Lewis will attempt to wade into uncharted waters by playing an 18th. The former Jaguars and Packers tight end is not planning to retire and has said conversations with multiple teams have occurred this offseason.

“I get the business side of it. My agent is in talks with a handful of teams, but it’s just small talk,” Lewis said, via The Associated Press’ Mark Long. “I guess teams are trying to figure out their rosters and what they need.”

The Packers carried Lewis on their roster for the past four seasons, utilizing the 270-pound tight end’s blocking prowess. Green Bay has since moved on from some of its veterans, and the team used two Day 2 picks at the position (second-rounder Luke Musgrave, third-rounder Tucker Kraft). The Pack let Robert Tonyan, Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb walk in free agency, being set to outfit Jordan Love with a full complement of rookie-contract players in the QB’s first year as a starter. Lewis may not be entirely out of the picture for a Green Bay return. But multiple reports earlier this year indicated the team is unlikely to make another contract offer.

The obvious team for the former Jags first-rounder would be the Jets. Aaron Rodgers is believed to have placed the four-year Packer on his Jets wish list. Considering the team’s additions of Cobb, Lazard and Billy Turner, it would not surprise if Lewis became another ex-Nathaniel Hackett Green Bay charge to head to the Big Apple. Robert Saleh did not shut this down when asked about the prospect recently, though the Jets do employ veterans Tyler Conklin and C.J. Uzomah along with 2022 third-rounder Jeremy Ruckert and seventh-round rookie Zack Kuntz.

A Raiders agreement also came up on Lewis’ radar, per Long, but the team’s trade-up move for Michael Mayer at No. 35 may scuttle that. Las Vegas also added Austin Hooper and O.J. Howard this offseason. Lewis would be eager to mentor a tight end prospect, but a deal would likely come together closer to training camp or during preseason workouts — as teams assess their various position groups to determine needs.

“For older players, there’s two things where they could potentially not get picked up,” Lewis said. “One is that their play is declining for their role. The second thing is they’re asking for too much money. I’m neither of those. I just want to compete.”

Lewis, who signed three Packers contracts from 2019-22, played out a two-year deal worth $5.92MM last season. Working as the Pack’s primary blocking tight end, Lewis started 17 games — only Gonzalez (254) and Witten (252) top Lewis’ 221 starts among tight ends — and played 451 offensive snaps. Lewis, who has missed one game over the past six seasons, played between 400 and 500 snaps in each of his four Green Bay slates. Pro Football Focus graded the 6-foot-6 veteran as the fifth-best run-blocking tight end in 2022.

Raiders’ Brian Hoyer Considered Retirement

June 22nd, 2023 at 1:19pm CST by Sam Robinson

Brian Hoyer has gone from the Patriots’ injured reserve list to receiving key Raiders offseason reps, as Jimmy Garoppolo recovers from his latest surgery. A former UDFA, Hoyer ran the Raiders’ offense during their spring work.

This unusual opportunity comes after the veteran quarterback considered retirement following the 2022 season, Vic Tafur of The Athletic notes (subscription required). Hoyer, 37, has been in the NFL since 2009, when he signed with New England. A multi-stint Patriot backup, Hoyer wrapped his latest run with the team last season.

Before Bailey Zappe received an unexpected chance to start as a rookie, Hoyer replaced Mac Jones after the Pats starter suffered a high ankle sprain. Hoyer started against the Packers in October and completed 5 of 6 passes, but he made it just 15 snaps before a concussion sidelined him. The journeyman arm did not play again last season. Hoyer was not expected to miss the rest of the year and believed he was ready to be activated later in the season, but the Pats kept him on IR.

The Raiders, who have brought in several ex-Josh McDaniels Patriots charges, had Hoyer on their radar as a mentor type before signing Garoppolo. After a Patriots release, Hoyer secured $4.21MM guaranteed on a two-year, $4.5MM contract. That proved enough to convince the 14-year vet to keep going. The Raiders attempted to retain Jarrett Stidham, but he opted for a $5MM guarantee to be Russell Wilson‘s Broncos backup. Hoyer will turn 38 in October. While the Michigan State alum has not made more than one start in a season since 2017 — when he opened the Kyle Shanahan era as San Francisco’s starter — Garoppolo’s injury history certainly opens the door for a late-career opportunity in Las Vegas.

Garoppolo is expected to be cleared from his foot surgery before training camp, but the ex-Patriots backup and 49ers starter has battled a number of maladies over the past few seasons. Signed to a three-year, $72.75MM deal — one that now includes an injury waiver — Garoppolo has missed 31 games since his September 2018 ACL tear. Since a healthy 2019 season that ended in Super Bowl LIV, Garoppolo has battled ankle, calf, thumb, shoulder and foot trouble.

The Raiders view Hoyer as a mentor to fourth-round pick Aidan O’Connell, whom Tafur adds will be groomed as a potential long-term backup. Hoyer took the first-team reps during the Silver and Black’s offseason program, but if Garoppolo goes down, it will be interesting to see if the Raiders move Hoyer into action or go with the untested O’Connell. Hoyer, who had the 2014 Browns in the playoff race and piloted the 2015 Texans to the AFC South title, has made 40 career starts. The past 12 of those have not produced a win.

Latest On Raiders, CB Marcus Peters

June 22nd, 2023 at 9:01am CST by Adam La Rose

With minicamps having been completed, many teams and free agents are in a holding pattern in the build-up to training camps opening next month. In the case of the Raiders and cornerback Marcus Peters, that appears likely to continue.

The two parties have been connected since May, when the 30-year-old visited Vegas. That led to the expectation a deal could soon follow, something which would come as little surprise given Peters’ track record and the question marks the Raiders face at the CB spot. Nothing has materialized yet, but the two-time All-Pro remains on the teams’ radar.

Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal confirms that a Raiders pact remains a distinct possibility for Peters at some point in the summer. He adds that Vegas is in no hurry to make a serious push at finalizing a contract, however, as the team continues to evaluate the three-time Pro Bowler’s health in particular. A 2021 ACL tear has led to questions about his ability to return to the form he showed earlier in his career.

The injury cost Peters the entire 2021 campaign, and its effects appeared to linger this past season. The Washington alum played 14 regular and postseason games, but he was held to a career-low one interception and just six pass deflections. Given his history as one the league’s premier ballhawks, those figures are understandably a cause for concern on the part of the Raiders or other interested teams.

In addition, Peters struggled in coverage in 2022, allowing seven touchdowns as the nearest defender and surrendering a passer rating of 113.7. Each of those totals were the worst in his career, and helped inform the Ravens’ decision to look elsewhere on the veteran corner market by signing Rock Ya-Sin. That move has left Peters on the open market into June, and his wait may continue for many more weeks.

The Raiders signed Duke Shelley, David Long and Brandon Facyson in free agency, then used a fourth-round selection in this year’s draft on Jakorian Bennett. Those newcomers will be tasked with helping the team’s secondary take a needed step forward, but a healthy Peters would provide a starting-caliber option alongside them. The point at which the latter joins the team (if at all) will likely be no earlier than July, though.

Extension Candidate: Josh Jacobs

June 20th, 2023 at 10:10pm CST by Ben Levine

Josh Jacobs was slapped with the franchise tag earlier this offseason, allowing both the player and team some extra time to negotiate a long-term pact. However, there hasn’t been any reported progress when it comes to an extension.

Part of that delay could be due to the Raiders’ reluctance to invest big money on a running back. Another reason for the lack of progress could be Jacobs’ determination to keep the running back market alive. The running back seemed to allude to his negotiation logic earlier this month, tweeting that “[s]ometimes it’s not about you. We gotta do it for the ones after us.” Jacobs added some fuel to the fire today when he tweeted “bad business,” an indication that he may not be pleased about the current status of his negotiations.

It’s not a new or shocking development that teams are unwilling to pay big money to running backs, and Jacobs is just the latest player to express frustration at the declining AAV at the position. Christian McCaffrey inked a record-breaking four-year, $64MM deal with the Panthers back in 2020, and his average annual value ($16MM) and guaranteed money ($36MM) still paces the position three years later.

Since then, Alvin Kamara secured the most guaranteed money at the position ($34MM), and the likes of Derrick Henry, Joe Mixon, Dalvin Cook, Aaron Jones, and Nick Chubb ended up signing extensions that landed between $12MM and $12.5MM per season. Only Miles Sanders and David Montgomery secured new contracts averaging $6MM or more this offseason, and rookie Bijan Robinson will head into the 2023 campaign with the third-most guaranteed money at his position ($21.9MM). We’ve seen other position groupings setting contract records, but the running back position appears to be heading backwards.

That brings us to Jacobs, who is set to play the 2023 season under the $10.1MM franchise tag. The two sides have until July 17 to negotiate a new deal, but it’s uncertain if they’ll agree to a new deal with less than a month remaining. Saquon Barkley is still awaiting a new deal with the Giants, an extension that would likely influence Jacobs’ next deal, putting the Raiders RB in a bit of a holding pattern.

It’s uncertain what kind of specific money Jacobs is seeking on his next deal. Based on the recent signings at the position, he’d be lucky to get an offer that approaches Henry’s four-year $50MM extension he signed with the Titans in 2020. If Jacobs does sign a new deal, he’ll likely settle into that sub-$12.5MM AAV, closer to the three-year, $36.6MM deal Chubb got from the Browns.

Jacobs made it known early on that he was going to skip the Raiders’ offseason program, but the July 17 deadline would seemingly prevent a training camp holdout. Jacobs has little incentive to sacrifice money and go the Le’Veon Bell route, and if he’s determined to make a statement, it seems increasingly likely that he’ll play the 2023 campaign under the franchise tag.

Raiders Expect DE Tyree Wilson To Be Cleared For Training Camp

June 19th, 2023 at 10:00am CST by Adam La Rose

After plenty of speculation as well as trade offers, the Raiders elected to remain at their No. 7 slot in this year’s draft and select Tyree Wilson. The defensive end’s arrival has been met with high expectations but also concerns over his health.

Wilson’s final college season was cut short due to a Lisfranc injury, and the surgery he underwent as a result was a red flag for some teams in the build-up to the draft. His production at Texas Tech, along with his overall build and skillset, however, convinced the Raiders to retain their top-10 position in the first round and make him the second edge rusher to hear his name called.

The recovery from surgery has cost Wilson OTAs as well as minicamp, but his progress in rehabbing his foot should allow him to see the field next month. The Raiders expect him to be cleared in time for training camp, per Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal. That would of course mark a welcomed development for team and player, given the expectations Wilson will face in the NFL.

The 6-6, 275-pounder will be tasked with helping the Raiders improve in the pass-rush department along their new-look defensive front. A rotational role behind Chandler Jones may be likely at first, but Wilson’s long-term future should see him serve as a complimentary edge defender opposite Maxx Crosby. That trio will aim to improve on the 27 sacks the Raiders registered last season in particular, and help the team take a step forward on defense in general.

Given his missed time, it would come as no surprise if the Raiders were to proceed cautiously with Wilson when he does begin practicing for the first time. Presuming that does take place in July, though, he will still have considerable time to acclimate himself to the NFL game ahead of his rookie season. His success in returning to full health during the summer will be a key storyline for Wilson and the Raiders during the remainder of the offseason.

Raiders Sign CB Jakorian Bennett, Complete Draft Class Signings

June 16th, 2023 at 2:50pm CST by Adam La Rose

With the break between minicamp and training camp now upon them, the Raiders have become the latest team to finish the business of signing all members of their rookie class. Fourth-round cornerback Jakorian Bennett has agreed to terms on his first, four-year, NFL deal, per a team announcement.

Bennett had a three-year career at Maryland, where he teamed with fellow corner Deonte Banks to great effect. The latter drew signficant acclaim during his final season in particular, and was unsurprisingly a first-round selection in April. The former needed to wait much longer to hear his name called, but he will nevertheless enter the NFL with a track record of production as well.

Bennett led the Terrapins in interceptions with three in 2021, and he added 11 pass deflections along the way. That ball production continued into last season, when he notched a pair of picks and again complied 11 PBUs. The Mobile, Alabama native added a blocked field goal to his statline and his overall reviews for being a high-energy player capable of contributing both on defense and special teams.

At 5-11, Bennett does not possess the length many teams seek in a shutdown outside corner, but he should have a path to at least a rotational role early in his career. He joins a Raiders secondary which struggled mightily in 2022, ranking 29th in the NFL against the pass and registering only six interceptions. The team’s cornerback setup has changed as a result, with Brandon Facyson, Duke Shelly and David Long being added in free agency. Free agent Marcus Peters remains unsigned at this point, but a deal with Las Vegas appears to be on the horizon. The latter would add a starter at the CB spot for 2023, but Bennett should make an impact over the course of his Raiders tenure.

Here is the complete breakdown of Vegas’ 2023 draft class:

Round 1, No. 7: Tyree Wilson, LB (Texas Tech) (signed)
Round 2, No. 35 (from Colts): Michael Mayer, TE (Notre Dame) (signed)
Round 3, No. 70: Byron Young, DT (Tennessee) (signed)
Round 3, No. 100 (from Chiefs through Giants): Tre Tucker, WR (Cincinnati) (signed)
Round 4, No. 104 (from Texans): Jakorian Bennett, CB (Maryland) (signed)
Round 4, No. 135 (from Patriots): Aidan O’Connell, QB (Purdue) (signed)
Round 5, No. 170 (from Packers through Jets): Christopher Smith, S (Georgia) (signed)
Round 6, No. 203 (from Texans through Giants): Amari Burney, LB (Florida) (signed)
Round 7, No. 231 (from Patriots): Nesta Jade Silvera, DT (Arizona State) (signed)

Load More Posts