Veteran Free-Agent Contracts Raiders Must Consider Before Training Camp

Only time will tell if the Las Vegas Raiders have improved enough to make a run at the AFC West crown in 2024. However, the Raiders have added enough pieces to a promising 2023 squad to at least be relevant.

Defensive tackle Christian Wilkins promises to be a game-changer in Las Vegas' defensive front, while quarterback Gardner Minshew can help add more explosiveness to the offense. Rookie tight end Brock Bowers should partner with Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers to form one of the league's most dynamic receiving corps.

Winning a division that includes the reigning champion Kansas City Chiefs won't be easy, however. Adding another piece or two to the equation before training camp opens on July 21 would make plenty of sense. Good players are still out there, and Las Vegas has $34.1 million in remaining cap space.

Here, you'll find a look at three free agents the Raiders must consider, based on skill sets, team needs and projected roles. You'll also find contract projections based on factors like past production, player health and the positional market.

CB Stephon Gilmore

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ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 10: Stephon Gilmore #21 of the Dallas Cowboys lines up during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles at AT&T Stadium on December 10, 2023 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

The Raiders defense showed a lot of promise down the stretch last season, and with Antonio Pierce now the full-time head coach, it has a chance to be great.

The Raiders could, however, use help on the back end. The cornerback was mostly solid last season—the Raiders ranked 12th in passing yards allowed—but it lacked a true shutdown cover corner.

Even at age 33, Stephon Gilmore remains a quality starter. He started all 17 games for the Dallas Cowboys in 2023 and allowed an opposing passer rating of just 82.7 in coverage. The five-time Pro Bowler would immediately upgrade Las Vegas' starting lineup while giving the Raiders another defensive leader.

The big question is whether the rebuilding Raiders can interest Gilmore.

"Year 13, been playing a long time," Gilmore said, per Nick O'Malley of MassLive. "So I'm just being patient and waiting for the right opportunity."

While the Raiders aren't widely viewed as title contenders, they could offer Gilmore the opportunity to play with an ascending defense and a team that could push for the postseason. Las Vegas also has the cap space to make a competitive contract offer.

Gilmore has an estimated market value of $9 million annually, and the Raiders could afford to go a little higher than that. A two-year, $18 million deal with added incentives would likely get Gilmore's attention.

Edge Emmanuel Ogbah

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MIAMI GARDENS, FL - NOVEMBER 13: Emmanuel Ogbah #91 of the Miami Dolphins is introduced prior to the game against the Cleveland Browns at Hard Rock Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)

With Wilkins joining Maxx Crosby and Malcolm Koonce up front, the pass rush should be a team strength for Las Vegas. However, it wouldn't hurt to add another rotational sack artist as the team continues to develop 2023 first-round pick Tyree Wilson.

The Raiders recorded 46 sacks as a team last season, but Crosby and Koonce were the only defenders to top five quarterback takedowns.

Adding Emmanuel Ogbah could potentially make a great unit an elite one. The 6'4", 275-pound Ogbah is a versatile defender who can play multiple roles along the defensive front and get after opposing quarterbacks. He recorded 5.5 sacks and 15 quarterback pressures with the Miami Dolphins last season.

Ogbah's experience playing alongside Wilkins over the past four seasons would be a bonus.

While Ogbah earned just under $16.4 million annually on his last contract, the Raiders might be able to obtain him for a relative bargain. The market was deep with pass-rushers this offseason, which led to some team-friendly contracts.

Leonard Floyd, for example, signed a two-year, $20 million with the San Francisco 49ers. A one-year, $10 million offer would probably be enough to secure Ogbah's services for the 2024 season.

RB Jerick McKinnon

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KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - DECEMBER 10: Jerick McKinnon #1 of the Kansas City Chiefs runs the ball after a catch during an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on December 10, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Ryan Kang/Getty Images)

Offensively, the Raiders should be fairly set, assuming the competition between Minshew and Aidan O'Connell yields a reliable starting quarterback. The offensive line will also see some camp competition, but Las Vegas has no shortage of receiving options.

Davante Adams, Jakobi Meyers, Tre Tucker and rookie Brock Bowers could form one of the league's top receiving corps this season.

However, the Raiders could use some more depth in the backfield. Zamir White flashed potential over the final month of the 2023 season, but he has yet to prove that he can outright replace Josh Jacobs as the team's every-down back.

White hasn't been heavily utilized in the passing game (15 career catches), and the depth behind him is marginal—Ameer Abdullah, Alexander Mattison and rookie Dylan Laube round out the running back room.

Adding an experienced receiving back like Jerick McKinnon would make plenty of sense. McKinnon caught 94 regular-season passes over the last three years. Additionally, McKinnon would bring experience in the AFC West and a little insight into the rival Chiefs.

McKinnon's Super Bowl experience could also aid Pierce as looks to change the culture in Las Vegas.

Adding McKinnon would also be a low-risk budget-friendly move. He played on a one-year, $1.3 million contract in 2023 and could likely be had at a similar rate.

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*Cap and contract information via Spotrac. Advanced statistics from Pro Football Reference.