Top Free Agents Raiders Must Prioritize in NFL Offseason

The Las Vegas Raiders were one of the most interesting teams of the 2022 offseason, and that figures to be the case again in 2023.

After cleaning house and bringing in Josh McDaniels as the head coach and Dave Ziegler as the general manager, the Raiders made some big moves to contend in the AFC West. Between trading for Davante Adams and signing Chandler Jones in free agency, the Raiders appeared to be all-in on winning sooner than later.

It hasn't quite panned out in 2022, but they'll have another bite at the apple in 2023.

That begins with 2023 free agency, where the team has the resources to make a few big signings. According to Spotrac, the Raiders have the ninth-most cap space heading into the offseason, but that's before restructures and roster moves that will likely give Vegas even more to play with than the $34.4 million they have in space right now.

However, if 2022 taught the Raiders anything, it's that spending the money wisely is more important than getting the most splashy names. Here are three players who would be worth the investment.

DT Daron Payne

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LANDOVER, MARYLAND - SEPTEMBER 25: Defensive tackle Daron Payne #94 of the Washington Commanders reacts after recording a safety during the fourth quarter against the Washington Commanders at FedExField on September 25, 2022 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)

The Raiders made some moves to reform the interior of the defensive line this offseason, but it's hard to consider them a success.

Bilal Nichols has the most sacks of any interior defender with just 1.5 on the season. That's not exactly what they had in mind when they signed him out of Chicago. They also spent fourth- and fifth-round picks on Neil Farrell and Matthew Butler respectively, but neither has made much of a mark as rookies, and it's hard to count on Day 3 picks to become impact starters anyway.

Going after a defensive tackle like the Washington Commanders' Daron Payne would give the Raiders a difference-maker in the middle and relieve the pressure on the other tackles to be anything more than run-stuffers.

The Raiders already have one of the league's premier outside rushers in Maxx Crosby. Giving him a running mate on the inside like Payne would instantly transform the defensive line from middling to fear-inducing.

Payne is having the kind of year that will command a big contract. He has a career-high 9.5 sacks and 16 tackles for loss. However, the Commanders already have Jonathan Allen on the inside with Montez Sweat and Chase Young on the outside.

It's unlikely they can pay all four of them long-term. Payne could be the odd man out, and the Raiders should be one of the teams enticing him with a massive contract to address a big need.

RB Josh Jacobs

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PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - DECEMBER 24: Derek Carr #4 of the Las Vegas Raiders hands the ball off Josh Jacobs #28 of the Las Vegas Raiders during the third quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium on December 24, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Gaelen Morse/Getty Images)

Good franchises don't let good players walk. It really is that simple when it comes to the Raiders and the looming contract situation with Josh Jacobs this offseason.

The McDaniels-Ziegler regime elected not to sign Jacobs to his fifth-year option last offseason. That decision has come back to bite them, as the fourth-year back leads the league in all-purpose yards with 1,908 heading into Week 17.

There is certainly a debate to be had about whether running backs live up to big contracts and the inherent risk in using precious cap space on signing one beyond their rookie contract.

But there are a lot of questions about the Raiders' ability to throw the ball going into 2023. Derek Carr may not return as the quarterback, Hunter Renfrow and Darren Waller have not produced consistently and the offensive line's ability to protect the quarterback has been shaky at times.

What has worked for the Raiders is giving the ball to Jacobs and letting him do his thing.

Jacobs' projected market value according to Spotrac is four years and $48.6 million. That's not the kind of contract that is going to become an albatross even if Jacobs doesn't live up to his 2022 production.

Retaining Jacobs would be a big win for this coaching staff and front office moving forward.

CB Cameron Sutton

AP Photo/Zach Bolinger

Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Cameron Sutton (20) celebrates after breaking up a pass during an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Monday, Nov. 28, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)

The Raiders attempted to use free agency and the trade market to find answers at cornerback this offseason. But injuries and poor play have made it clear they should still be looking for those answers.

Rock Ya-Sin came to Vegas in the trade that sent Yannick Ngakoue to Indianapolis. He has played well, but free-agent signing Anthony Averett hasn't panned out. He's only played in seven games and has given up a passer rating of 134.7 when targeted.

They signed Sidney Jones after he was released by the Seattle Seahawks, but he hasn't proved he can be a starter either.

The result is a team that is likely to go shopping for a cornerback again.

Cameron Sutton should be at the top of the wishlist. The 27-year-old is still young enough to warrant a big contract and is having a great year in Pittsburgh. He's holding opposing passers to a 48.5 completion percentage this season while bringing in three interceptions.

Adding that kind of talent on the outside would help bolster a pass defense that is one of the leakiest in the league.