The Las Vegas Raiders have the opportunity to run through the aisles and throw items in the cart as if they were on an episode of the classic game show “Supermarket Sweep.”
General manager John Spytek is armed with an astronomical amount of cap space and plenty of needs to address as one of the most pivotal free-agency periods in franchise history gets underway with the legal tampering period on Monday.
While Spytek isn’t likely to go on a wild spending spree, expect the Raiders to be very aggressive the next few days.
Here is a look at some of the top free agents on the market on the defensive side of the ball by position in order of need:
Edge rushers
Top names: Trey Hendrickson, Bengals; Jaelan Phillips, Eagles; Odafe Oweh, Chargers; K’Lavon Chaisson, Patriots; Boye Mafe, Seahawks; Joey Bosa, Bills; Kwity Paye, Colts; Bradley Chubb, Dolphins; AJ Epenesa, Bills; Arnold Ebiketie, Falcons; Joseph Ossai, Bengals; Kingsley Enagbare, Packers; Cameron Jordan, Saints; Al-Quadin Muhammad, Lions.
Analysis: This is a deep group, which is good news for a Raiders team that just traded away its star at the position in Maxx Crosby.
The Raiders probably already needed help here. Now it’s a certainty.
Several of the bigger names here, particularly Hendrickson, are on the downside of their careers and probably wouldn’t be a fit for what the Raiders are trying to build.
Best fits: Phillips would be the ideal candidate at 27 years old and with positional versatility.
Oweh was great down the stretch last season and figures to command a great deal of attention.
Mafe, Ossai and Epenesa are disruptive and intriguing, while Ebiketie could be a nice scheme fit for new defensive coordinator Rob Leonard.
There is also a possiblity of taking a chance at bringing back Malcolm Koonce, who will be another year removed from knee surgery.
Cornerbacks
Top names: Alontae Taylor, Saints; Tariq Woolen, Seahawks; Jaylen Watson, Chiefs; Greg Newsome, Jaguars; Nahshon Wright, Bears; Jamel Dean, Buccaneers; Montaric Brown, Jaguars; Cor’Dale Flott, Giants; Cobie Durant, Rams; Josh Jobe, Seahawks; Taron Johnson, Bills; Trevon Diggs, Packers
Analysis: The missing name here is Eric Stokes, who had a solid season with the Raiders and is likely the team’s top priority in terms of their own free agents.
Stokes was on a one-year prove-it deal and earned himself a big payday, so it makes sense to test the market.
If he’s gone, this becomes one of the Raiders’ most urgent needs this offseason. Fortunately for the team, there are several options on the market.
Best fits: Taylor mostly plays in the slot, but provides some versatility and should be a prime target.
Klint Kubiak got to see Woolen up close every day at practice last year, so he should have a good read on him.
Likewise with Spytek and Dean, who he was with in Tampa for several years. Dean is coming off a great season, but is 29 years old.
Watson might be the top name to monitor here.
Linebackers
Top names: Quay Walker, Packers; Tremaine Edmunds, Bears; Devin Lloyd, Jaguars; Leo Chenal, Chiefs; Nakobe Dean, Eagles; Alex Anzalone, Lions; Devin Bush, Browns; Kaden Elliss, Falcons; Demario Davis, Saints
Analysis: This is a very good group and the Raiders are depleted in the linebacking corps.
While they are switching to a 3-4 base, it doesn’t necessarily mean they need a ton of linebackers. The Raiders will probably play quite a bit of 3-3-5 and other exotic looks.
Plus, the outside linebackers can be more edge-rusher types.
It’s still a group that needs to be addressed.
Best fits: Walker, Lloyd, Chenal and Dean are all squarely in their prime and would immediately improve the defense.
Edmunds and Ellis are slightly older, but still solid options.
Defensive line
Top names: John Franklin-Myers, Broncos; Logan Hall, Buccaneers; Jonathan Allen, Vikings; Sheldon Rankins, Texans; David Onyemata, Falcons; D.J. Reader, Lions; Tim Settle, Texans.
Analysis: There isn’t a whole lot of depth here and most of the top options are a bit older and may not fit the Raiders’ timeline. The Raiders have several candidates to play a big defensive end role in a 3-4 base, but may need some depth and a true nose .
Franklin-Myers is right on the borderline at 29, though he doesn’t show many signs of slowing down.
Reader is a load in the middle of the line of scrimmage, but is 32 years old.
The Raiders will probably have to look at the draft for the nose tackle of the future.
Best fits: Hall would be a nice piece as a younger player with talent who can play some defensive end.
Safeties
Top names: Bryan Cook, Chiefs; Coby Bryant, Seahawks; Nick Cross, Colts; Jaquan Brisker, Bears; Jalen Thompson, Cardinals; Kevin Byard, Bears; Reed Blankenship, Eagles; Jaylinn Hawkins, Patriots
Analysis: This is probably the position on defense where the Raiders are least in need of immediate help, but they could certainly look to make upgrades if the price is right.
Best fits: Cook may be in for a big payday, which could keep the Raiders away as they divert their resources elsewhere.
Bryant found a comfort level with the Seahawks in a system that is similar to what the Raiders are designing with Leonard and could be a fit.
Cross and Thompson don’t get enough attention.
Contact Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com. Follow @AdamHillLVRJ on X.
