Hot Takes, Predictions for Raiders' Most Impactful Free-Agent Signings
For the Las Vegas Raiders, the 2023 offseason has been much different than the previous one.
A year ago, they were coming off a wild-card loss to the eventual AFC champion Cincinnati Bengals. While the Raiders welcomed a new front office, Josh McDaniels and Dave Ziegler were willing to run things back with only a few additions to the roster.
That plan didn't work, and the front office has begun the task of rebuilding the team into the one they want. Notable names such as Derek Carr and Darren Waller are gone, and Las Vegas signed a host of veteran free agents to help turn over the roster.
With the draft deep into the rear-view mirror and free agency entering its final stages, now is a great time to dive into what the Raiders accomplished on the open market this year. They may not have a championship roster, but they just might have added a few pieces who, along with the draft class, can be a part of the franchise's future.
Below, we'll examine three of their biggest additions from free agency and make a few hot-take predictions about what fans can expect.
Jakobi Meyers Solidifies Himself as an Elite No. 2 Receiver
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Along with quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, wide receiver Jakobi Meyers was Las Vegas' biggest "impact" signing in free agency. He played under McDaniels with the New England Patriots and should step right into his offense and make an impact.
In New England, the 26-year-old proved he can be a steady target regardless of who is at quarterback. He topped 700 receiving yards with Cam Newton in 2020 and topped 800 yards in each of the past two seasons with Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe.
Meyers finished last season with a team-high 804 receiving yards and six touchdowns while providing a passer rating of 116.0 when targeted. No. 1 Raiders receiver Davante Adams is already looking forward to having the NC State product opposite him.
"He's got a lot of tools on the field, and the way he thinks about the game as a relatively young player is impressive to me, so I'm excited to work alongside him," Adams said, per Case Keefer of the Las Vegas Sun.
Here's why Meyers could be in store for a career year: In New England, he filled the No. 1 receiver role, and opponents defended him accordingly. He'll be the No. 2 in Las Vegas, with Adams drawing most of the defensive attention.
Meyers already knows McDaniels' system, and he's going to shine as one of the NFL's top No. 2 receivers in 2023.
Duke Shelley Proves to Be a Steal
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Las Vegas added a few new cornerbacks this offseason in Brandon Facyson, Duke Shelley, David Long Jr. and rookie Jakorian Bennett.
Of the veterans, Shelley could prove to be a massive steal.
The 26-year-old is a smaller corner at 5'9" and 176 pounds, and he played a somewhat limited role with the Minnesota Vikings last season. In 11 games with five starts, though, he was superb in pass coverage.
The Kansas State product finished with 31 tackles, eight passes defended and an interception. He allowed a completion rate of just 45.7 percent and an opposing passer rating of only 55.2 in coverage. He also didn't allow a touchdown in 21 games over the past two seasons.
While there's no guarantee Shelley will lock down a starting role in Las Vegas, he can be a valuable member of the rotation. And if he does earn a starting job, this could be a classic case of a team snagging a young, underutilized player on the upswing.
Considering the Raiders landed Shelley on a modest one-year, $1.3 million deal, his signing could prove to be an absolute bargain.
Jimmy Garoppolo Leaves Raiders Looking for a QB in 2024
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Not every hot take is a positive one, and here's where we get to the unfortunate reality about Jimmy Garoppolo. While signing him was sensible—he can be a high-end game manager, and he knows McDaniels' offense—he isn't the long-term answer at quarterback.
The 31-year-old has an extensive injury history and has played 15 or more games in a season only twice. He is also still recovering from last year's season-ending foot injury.
According to ProFootballTalk's Mike Florio, his three-year, $72.8 million contract included an injury waiver because he would not have passed a physical.
While Garoppolo is expected to be ready for the start of training camp, according to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport, he can't be expected to stay healthy. History suggests he won't and Las Vegas will eventually turn to Brian Hoyer, Chase Garbers and rookie fourth-round pick Aidan O'Connell at some point.
And when Garoppolo is on the field, he isn't going to carry the team like an elite franchise QB can. He played well with the 49ers but was never asked to do too much. While Las Vegas' defense should show some improvement this year, it isn't the top-tier unit he enjoyed in San Francisco.
Garoppolo is a placeholder, and the 2023 season will leave the Raiders looking for a more permanent solution next offseason. If that turns out to be a rookie, the veteran may stick around for one more season—but it's worth noting Las Vegas can release him next year and save $13 million off the 2024 cap.
Advanced statistics from Pro Football Reference. Contract information via Spotrac.
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