Raiders Add Familiar Faces During Free Agency

The Las Vegas Raiders have been one of the most active teams in the league in the first couple of days of free agency.

Whether signing quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo to run the offense or trading star tight end Darren Waller, General Manager Dave Ziegler has not been shy about making moves.

In making these moves, there has been a notable pattern with some of the free agents he has signed -- many have connections to the New England Patriots.

This should not be a surprise, as Ziegler and Coach Josh McDaniels spent years together in New England, winning multiple Super Bowls. They want to carry over that success and create a winner in the Raiders.

Some players the Raiders have signed with ties to the current regime include wide receiver Jakobi Meyers, who spent the first few seasons of his career playing in McDaniels’ system when he was the offensive coordinator for the Patriots, and Phillip Dorsett, who spent three seasons under McDaniels.

The aforementioned Garoppolo was drafted by New England and started two games, winning both. Garoppolo will likely be the starting quarterback heading into the 2023 season.

The team also brought back fullback Jakob Johnson, who spent three years with the Patriots under McDaniels before following him to the Raiders last season.

Of the Raiders' signings thus far, several are former Patriots with prior ties to McDaniels and Ziegler. In year two of this regime, they are looking to build the team their way, which appears to include some familiar faces.

The NFL Draft will occur at Union Station in Kansas City, Mo., from Thursday, April 27 to Saturday, April 29. ESPN, ABC, and NFL Network will broadcast all seven rounds.

The 2023 NFL Year and Free Agency period begins at 4 p.m. EDT on March 15. The Raiders are expected to be significant players in the free-agent market this season.

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