Raiders' Last-Minute Guide to 2023 NFL Free Agency

In his second offseason as the Las Vegas Raiders' general manager, Dave Ziegler has quite a bit of work to do. And that begins with finding a new starting quarterback after the team released longtime QB Derek Carr last month.

The Raiders are coming off a disappointing 2022 season in which they went 6-11 and missed the playoffs for the fifth time in six years. If Las Vegas is going to get back to being a postseason contender in the near future, it will need to make the right moves this offseason to put itself in a position to do so.

Things are about to pick up here shortly, with NFL free agency set to begin Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET and the legal tampering period starting 48 hours prior to that on Monday. The Raiders could be among the more active teams, considering their financial standing and the holes they need to fill on their roster.

Here's a last-minute free-agency guide for Las Vegas with the 2023 offseason about to ramp up within the next few days.

Cap Situation

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PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 24: A photo of a Las Vegas Raiders helmet on the sideline during the national football league game between the Las Vegas Raiders and the Pittsburgh Steelers on December 24, 2022 at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo by Mark Alberti/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

2023 NFL Cap: $224.8 million

Cap Space: $43.7 million, per Over The Cap

Only two NFL teams have more available cap space than the Raiders: the Chicago Bears ($75.2 million) and the Atlanta Falcons ($62.9 million). So Las Vegas is in a great position to spend heading into free agency.

It's possible the Raiders could clear additional space by cutting some players. If that happens, it would allow them to be even more active on the free-agent market than they're already expected to be.

Ziegler can't just throw around contract offers this offseason, though. It will be important for Las Vegas to target the right players and give out deals that make sense for both the short and long term.

Notable Free Agents

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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 18: Denzel Perryman #52 of the Las Vegas Raiders reacts during an NFL football game between the Las Vegas Raiders and the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)

• CB Anthony Averett
• DE Clelin Ferrell
• S Duron Harmon
• TE Foster Moreau
• LB Denzel Perryman
• CB Rock Ya-Sin

Most of Las Vegas' notable free agents are defensive players. Perryman started 26 games for the Raiders over the past two seasons and is a valuable piece of the linebacker corps when healthy. Ya-Sin and Harmon both had starting roles in the secondary last season.

Ferrell, who was selected with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft, never lived up to their potential. The 25-year-old defensive end seems unlikely to return to Las Vegas.

One player who would have been on this list was star running back Josh Jacobs, but the Raiders opted to use the franchise tag on him. They'll still need to try to work out a long-term deal with the 25-year-old, but he's at least now under contract for the 2023 season.

Biggest Needs and Potential Targets

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Quarterback

This is the top item on the Raiders' offseason to-do list now that Carr is gone. The only Las Vegas quarterback under contract for the 2023 season is Chase Garbers, as Jarrett Stidham is set to hit the free-agent market.

Perhaps the Raiders try to land a franchise QB in the 2023 NFL draft, but Ziegler's recent comments at the NFL Scouting Combine indicate that may not be the likeliest scenario. Instead, Las Vegas' starting quarterback next season could be a free-agent acquisition.

The top candidate could be Jimmy Garoppolo, who has ties to Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels from their time together with the New England Patriots. Garoppolo may reliably get the ball in the hands of Las Vegas' playmakers and help the team have some success in the near future.

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Offensive Line

In order for the Raiders' new quarterback (whomever that may be) to excel, the team must protect him well. So Las Vegas needs to upgrade its offensive line and build depth, which it could be losing via players exiting in free agency.

There's not one exact position here that's the biggest need. The Raiders just need to add more quality players up front. One potential target could be offensive tackle Mike McGlinchey, who could solidify the right side of Las Vegas' O-line.

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Cornerback

The Raiders already needed to strengthen their secondary, and now Averett, Ya-Sin and Sidney Jones are all corners who could be leaving in free agency. So Las Vegas should be looking to add multiple CBs this offseason through free agency/trades/the draft.

James Bradberry is among the best free-agent cornerbacks, and the 29-year-old would provide a substantial upgrade to the Raiders defense. They have the financial flexibility to sign him, so it would make sense for them to make a pursuit of him.