3 Risky Moves Raiders Made in Free Agency

Every move the Las Vegas Raiders made wasn't part of a winning offseason.

Feb 10, 2026; Henderson, NV, USA; Las Vegas Raiders general manager John Spytek at press conference at Intermountain Health Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The Las Vegas Raiders made plenty of smart moves this offseason as they try to build a long-term winner.

General Manager John Spytek got to work on re-tooling a roster that needed to tear it down and start over. With lots of cap space to work with, Spytek didn't have to spend like crazy, and he was smart with the franchise's money.

We recently highlighted the best moves Las Vegas made in free agency, and you can read that piece here.

Las Vegas Raiders John Spytek | Darrell Craig Harris, On SI

Today, however, will be about the questionable moves the Raiders made this offseason, because not every move earned an A-plus.

What were some of the more head-scratching decisions the team made during free agency? Let's break down three moves we have questions about.

The Nakobe Dean and Quay Walker deals

Jan 10, 2022; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Quay Walker (7) and Nakobe Dean (17) against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2022 CFP college football national championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

While the Raiders needed to add linebacker talent with Elandon Roberts and Devin White out the door, the money they gave to these two former Georgia Bulldogs didn't make a ton of sense.

In theory, you can understand adding a versatile piece in Dean and a downhill attacker in Walker, but Dean is often injured and Walker is a one-dimensional player. Both players earned at least $20 million in guaranteed money, and while the Raiders had the funds, they could have been spent elsewhere.

Las Vegas will rely on Dean to stay healthy and Walker to add more to his game than aggressive run-stopping. If those things don't happen, these deals won't look good in the long run.

Re-signing Malcolm Koonce

Nov 17, 2025; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Malcolm Koonce (51) reacts after the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images | Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

The idea of Malcolm Koonce has always been better than Malcolm Koonce the actual football player.

Koonce either hasn't been healthy during his time with the Silver and Black, or he hasn't been producing. To be fair, he could have built on a strong end to the 2023 season in 2024, but a season-ending knee injury ruined that for him.

Still, he hasn't developed into the player the team thought he would. Maybe with a fully healthy season under his belt, he can be a solid depth piece on a one-year deal.

Not adding a veteran RB behind Ashton Jeanty

Las Vegas Raiders RB Ashton Jeanty | Darrell Craig Harris, On SI

It made sense for the Raiders not to bring back Raheem Mostert or Zamir White, but they're relying on either Dylan Laube or a rookie from the 2026 NFL Draft to back up Ashton Jeanty.

Jeanty had a fine rookie season, despite playing in a bad offensive scheme and behind a poor offensive line. However, Klint Kubiak will not ask him to be Superman, and should add another RB to take some of the workload away from him.

The Raiders could have signed a cheap option like Brian Robinson Jr. or Rico Dowdle, but Jeanty and Laube remain the only RBs on the roster as of now. Adding a running back in the draft has become imperative when it didn't need to be.