Raiders Key Free Agents Additions Who Will Impact 2023

HENDERSON, Nev.--The Las Vegas Raiders have had a tumultuous few years with the move to Las Vegas and a change in the coaching staff, but expectations are high for the 2023 season.

With quarterback Derek Carr gone and Jimmy Garoppolo under center, the Raiders have a solid foundation on offense if their new signal caller can stay healthy.

On the defensive side, the Raiders have some promising pieces, including rookie defensive end Tyree Wilson, plus defensive tackles Byron Young and Jade Nesta Silvera. Additionally, they added playmaker defensive backs Jakorian Bennett and Chris Smith, all via the NFL Draft.

The state-of-the-art Allegiant Stadium and the vibrant city of Las Vegas provide a unique opportunity to attract top-tier free agents. The Silver and Black added some key pieces via that route this season in addition to Garoppolo.

While this list is not comprehensive, it is those I expect to make the roster or certainly compete to do so. In addition, it does not list free agents who the Raiders re-signed from last season. The key new additions are:

1. Jakobi Meyers, WR Meyers immediately takes the number two receiver spot, becoming the modern-day Alvin Harper-Michale Irvin duo with Davante Adams. Like Adams, he is a complete player and remains talented and available. Meyers had a long list of NFL suitors that wanted to bid for his services, but he loves Josh McDaniels and Dave Ziegler and coveted the chance to play for them again.

2. DeAndre Carter, WR After a career season in 2022, the Raiders added a quality return man and a solid third receiver. The Raiders have overhauled their WR room and are greatly improved.

3. Cam Sims, WR A special teams savant, this massive-sized wide receiver provides a ton of position versatility. If he makes it, he will be one of the last to do so, and in a loaded WR room, it will be because of what he does on special teams.

4. Phillip Dorsett, WR The Raiders have not had speed like this since Henry Ruggs. A quality fourth receiver, he can do so much, which is key to making a Josh McDaniels/Dave Ziegler-led team.

5. Duke Shelley, CB The journeyman defensive back will compete, I believe, with Sam Webb for a roster spot if the Raiders do not add another quality veteran.

6. David Long, Jr. CB While not a superstar, Long is consistent. He is a quality special teams addition and provides quality depth.

7. Brandon Facyson, CB This young man should have never left the Raiders, but they let him walk last season. He is a starter and a tremendous asset on the field and in the locker room.

8. Robert Spillane, LB The Pittsburgh Steelers were not happy to lose Spillane. They made a significant offer to keep him, but their salary cap issues wouldn't let them compete with the Raiders. Durable and tough, the Silver and Black stole this young man.

9. Marcus Epps, S The incredibly talented Epps was a victim of the salary cap for the Birds. They wanted him, but they had many players they wanted to keep, and you can't keep them all. He steps in on day one as a starter and leader.

10. Jaquan Johnson, S This young man provides depth for the Raiders, but if he is tied with Chris Smith (rookie from Georgia), I would expect him not to get the starting role. He is nearly everyone on this list a solid special teams contributor.

11. Austin Hooper, TE This young man is an exceptional person and player. He will start immediately with what I project to be rookie tight end Michael Mayer, and I believe he will have an outstanding season, returning in 2024.

12. O.J. Howard, TE All of the tools and talent, O.J. Howard could be the steal of the Silver Black free agent squad with the Josh McDaniels heavy TE attack. The key is health. If Howard is healthy, he is the real deal. Emphasis on if.

13. Brian Hoyer, QB The perfect No. 2 for this team will be an additional coach, a mentor for Aidan O'Connell, and a backup for the oft-injured Jimmy Garoppolo. He is entering his 15th season in the NFL, and that wealth of experience will not go unused in the locker room.

14. Jordan Willis, DL What Willis brings is what the Raiders love, versatility. He can play multiple positions on D and is a solid special teams addition. He is only 275 pounds, but he can play situationally at defensive tackle, is more of defensive end, and can stand up and play some outside linebacker.

15. Jacob Bobenmoyer, LS The Raiders took a risk getting rid of a quality player and human being, loved by all in their locker room in Trent Sieg. It isn't Bobenmoyer's fault; the Raiders' special teams must improve. If the new ST Coordinator wants him, he gets him and now owns him.

16. John Jenkins, DT A space eater in the truest form, he isn't going to get the stats that show up on sheets, but he gobbles up offensive linemen so those next to and behind him can.

The Raiders must also continue building relationships with their fan base locally (New City of Las Vegas) and globally to establish a strong sense of community and support. Those relationships have been strained.

The Raiders' offseason workout schedule is as follows:

OTA Offseason workouts: May 22-23, May 25, May 31-June 2, June 12-15

Mandatory Minicamp: June 6-8

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