Raiders Free Agent Breakdown: The 7 biggest names hitting the market this spring
Feb 10, 2023, 11:05 AM | Updated: 5:30 pm
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - NOVEMBER 27: Josh Jacobs #28 of the Las Vegas Raiders runs with the ball while being tackled by Quandre Diggs #6 of the Seattle Seahawks in the third quarter at Lumen Field on November 27, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Jane Gershovich/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jane Gershovich/Getty Images)
The Las Vegas Raiders had a disappointing 2022 NFL season after such high expectations in the offseason. Pairing Derek Carr with his college teammate Davante Adams was suppose to rejuvenate the offense. Instead, Carr and the offense folded and will now be heading to a new team in 2023.
Facing potential cap space of only $17.5 million expected, the Raiders willed to get creative with their budget next season. And that could mean saying goodbye to a few standout players moving forward.
Here are seven of the biggest names the Silver & Black will need to make a decision on over the next month.
Raiders finish 6-11, 3rd in AFC West.
First round draft pick range: 6th-9th
Key decision this offseason: Derek Carr
Notable free agents include:
RB Josh Jacobs
CB Rock Ya-Sin
LB Denzel Perryman
S Duron Harmon
DL Clelin Ferrell
WR Mack Hollins
OL Jermaine Eluemunor— Field Yates (@FieldYates) January 8, 2023
RB Josh Jacobs
Previous contract: 4-years, $11.9 million
Prediction: Re-signs with LV
This should be the No. 1 priority for the Las Vegas Raiders this offseason. After not extending the fifth-year option, the Silver & Black can’t lose Josh Jacobs in free agency.
Drafted back in 2018, Jacobs was envisioned as the tailback of the future for Mark Davis and the Raiders. He’s been that and then some, breaking out for a league-leading 1653 rushing yards in 2022. Add 12 touchdowns and 400 yards receiving, Jacobs crossed the 2000 scrimmage-yards threshold for the first time in his career. Named as an All-Pro
Recently turning 24, Jacobs is expected to get a massive contract in 2023, potentially making him one of the highest-paid RBs in the NFL. Or he’ll get franchise-tagged by the Raiders.
Either way, he’s staying put in Sin City.
The very first. 🏆@iAM_JoshJacobs is the inaugural Jim Brown Award winner, given to the player with the most rushing yards each season. pic.twitter.com/LnetbA2CLP
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) February 10, 2023
CB Rock Ya-Sin
Previous contract: 4-years, $7.9 million
Prediction: Moves on from LV
This really depends on what his market looks like in March, but Rock Ya-Sin didn’t live up to the hype in 2022.
Traded to the Raiders in the offseason, Ya-Sin was meant to supplant Trayvon Mullens at outside corner. To a degree, that happened. But after his season ended due a knee injury Week 11, who knows where he stands right now.
The 26-year-old cornerback finished with 45 combined tackles, seven passes defended and zero INTs in 11 contests.
While it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Raiders retain at least one corner, not quite Ya-Sin will be the one based on price.
LB Denzel Perryman
Previous contract: 2-years, $6 million
Prediction: Re-signs with LV
No player on the Raiders’ roster has revived their value quite like Denzel Perrryman.
The linebacker has been one of Las Vegas’s pillars on the defensive side of the ball, finishing the 2021 season with his first Pro Bowl nod and 154 combined tackles. Year 2 in Nevada wasn’t as glamorous, suffering a shoulder injury that placed him on the IR midseason.
Perryman still finished with productive numbers, snagging two INTs, two passes defended, one sack and 83 combined tackles in 12 games played.
Only hitting age 30 in December, the Raiders would be wise to re-sign one of the few bright spots on the roster.
DL Clelin Ferrell
Previous contract: 4-years, $ 31.36 million
Prediction: Moves on from LV
Let me save you some time: N-O, NO.
Arguably one of the bigger draft busts in recent Raiders history, the Clemson alum has 10 sacks in four seasons in the NFL. Yikes. He’s made up for it in tackles with 105 in his career.
Regardless, it was a sign when Las Vegas didn’t extend his fifth-year option. Even more a sign with the money dedicated to Chandler Jones and Maxx Crosby currently that Ferrell won’t be back next season.
WR Mack Hollins
Previous contract: 1-year, $2 million
Prediction: Moves on from LV
Another bright spot for the Raiders, Mack Hollins had his best year in 2022.
The wideout finished the season with a career-best 690 receiving yards, and four touchdowns as well. Filling in for Hunter Renfrow and Darren Waller as the secondary option, Hollins’ value is sure to skyrocket this spring.
That’s mainly the reason why I see him moving on, cost.
Hollins hopes to command a salary in the $6 to $10 million range annually and the Raiders don’t have the funds to facilitate that. Already paying Renfrow, Waller and Davante Adams, Hollins was beloved in the locker room, but he’ll need to find a new home with a lot of cash in 2023.
S Duron Harmon
Previous contract: 1-year, $1.27 million
Prediction: Moves on from LV
This could go either way for Duron Harmon and the Raiders.
On the one hand, the former Patriot played stellar down the stretch for Las Vegas. He finished 2022 with a career-best 86 combined tackles, five passes defended, two INTs and one touchdown to his name. After cutting Johnathan Abram midseason, Harmon was relied on heavily by Josh McDaniels and delivered.
On the other hand, he just turned 32-years-old and the Raiders probably want to let Tre’von Moehrig get an extended look in the secondary.
Still, at the right price, Harmon could return to Sin City in 2023.
QB Jarrett Stidham
Previous contract: 4-years, $3.15 million
Prediction: Re-signs with LV
Despite losing his lone starts of the season, career backup QB Jarrett Stidham made the most of his opportunities down the stretch.
Stidham and the Raiders took a red-hot 49ers squad to their limits Week 17 in Vegas, losing in overtime, 37-34. In that contest, Stidham finished with 365 passing yards, three TDs and two INTs. He also added 34 yards on the ground.
Week 18 was a little more humbling, losing to the Kansas City Chiefs, 31-13, on the road. Stidham finished the day with a modest 219 passing yards, one TD and one INT, also adding 50 yards rushing.
It’s doubtful that he’ll be the starting QB for the Raiders to start the 2023 season but it’s never bad to have a veteran arm in the building. After letting Derek Carr find a new home, Las Vegas is swinging for the fences with names like Aaron Rodgers for the future. Why not sign Stidham as the backup though?
Probably costing in the $5-$8 million range with his new deal, the former Patriot knows the McDaniels’ system, and provides good competition for whoever the Raiders bring in as the N0.1 QB next season.
