Raiders' Top Players to Prioritize in 2024 NFL Free Agency

With $47.9 million in salary cap space, the Las Vegas Raiders figure to be big players in free agency if they want to be.

The cap figure makes them 10th in the league in cap space. With new general manager Tom Telesco taking over the roster that Dave Ziegler built over the last two offseasons, free agency marks his first real chance to begin building the Raiders according to his vision.

The Raiders have seen two different approaches the last two offseasons. In Ziegler's first offseason he traded for Davante Adams and traded for Chandler Jones. The splashy moves did not lead to on-field success. in 2023, they signed a massive free-agent class made up mostly of unheralded veterans.

That didn't yield a huge turnaround last season and there's a reason the Raiders have a new front office.

Deciding who to prioritize as free agency nears will be huge for Telesco. Here's a look at three players that should be on the top of his list as the front office begins attacking free agency.

DT Leonard Williams

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ARLINGTON, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 30: Leonard Williams #99 of the Seattle Seahawks runs during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on November 30, 2023 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ryan Kang/Getty Images)

If the second half of the season was any indication, the Raiders could have something special brewing on the defensive side of the ball in Vegas. Antonio PIerce was retained as head coach in part because the Silver and Black had one of the best defenses in the league when he took over.

The Raiders continuing to build a defense that can stand up against the likes of the Chiefs and the Chargers in the division is the quickest way for them to be dangerous.

Malcolm Koonce was a revelation over the back half of the season and Maxx Crosby is a talent to build around on the defensive line. Assuming last year's first-round pick Tyree Wilson can take a leap in Year 2, the Raiders have the makings of an elite defensive line.

A defensive tackle who can anchor against the run while still providing some pass-rush production could be the missing piece. Leonard Williams has gone under the radar in an interior defender class that could include Chris Jones, Justin Madubuike and Christian Wilkins, but he's just what the Raiders need.

His background with defensive coordinator Patrick Graham could help facilitate a reunion. Williams had 18 sacks across the two seasons Graham was the defensive coordinator for the Giants.

The 29-year-old defensive tackle was traded to Seattle at the trade deadline but the two sides haven't agreed to an extension. The Raiders should be looking to get in touch with him when free agency starts.

OT Jermaine Eluemunor

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INGLEWOOD, CA - DECEMBER 8: Jermaine Eluemunor #72 of the Las Vegas Raiders blocks during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on December 8, 2022 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)

Tom Telesco has over a decade of experience being a general manager in the NFL. Regardless of how his tenure with the Chargers went, there are valuable lessons in that experience.

One that he might have learned is just how hard it can be to build an offensive line. The Chargers made big investments in their group up front, but the right tackle position was still a sore spot over the last few seasons.

Telesco has an opportunity to secure a fairly high floor for the position by making sure that Jermaine Eluemunor doesn't leave the building. It's taken time, but the 29-year-old has become a serviceable starting right tackle with the ability to play on the left side or kick inside to guard.

He gave up six sacks but was graded out at 68.5 by PFF. That was good enough to rank 36th among all tackles.

The Raiders do have some options at right tackle moving forward. They can obviously seek out an upgrade, but developing tackles can take time and starters aren't cheap on the open market. Thayer Munford as an internal option as well.

But inking Eluemunor to a new contract is the easiest way to keep humming along at the position. Signing him wouldn't exclude them from drafting another developmental prospect either.

T/G Mike Onwenu

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PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - DECEMBER 7: Mike Onwenu #71 of the New England Patriots in action during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium on December 7, 2023 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)

The Raiders faithful may roll their eyes at the thought of signing a former Patriot after the Josh McDaniels era, but Mike Onwenu is legitimately one of the best free agents available at a position of need for the Raiders.

The 6'3", 350-pound lineman has played just about every spot on the offensive line for the Patriots on his rookie contract. Now the 26-year-old will have the opportunity to cash in and get out of New England.

The Raiders should be among the first in line to offer him that ticket out. Like Eluemunor, he has been tasked with playing several different roles along the line and he has been an asset regardless of where he's lined up.

This season he finished out the year at right tackle, but he gave up a career-high six sacks. He had combined to give up four in his previous three seasons, per Sports Info Solutions.

The beauty for the Raiders in signing Onwenu is that it isn't clear where their needs will be on the right side. Greg Van Roten played well at right guard but he's 34 years old and Eluemunor was solid at right tackle but he's also hitting free agency.

The Raiders have questions on offense, including who will play quarterback, but it's going to be harder to find those answers if they don't have a good offensive line. Bringing on Onwenu is a big step toward making sure they have one.