Cornerback Eric Stokes inks a lucrative $30 million deal, bolstering the Raiders' defense right as free agency kicks off.
The Las Vegas Raiders have been busy already with March underway. One day before the free agency period opened up, the Raiders agreed to acquire cornerback Taron Johnson in a deal with the Buffalo Bills.
On Monday, the free agency negotiation window opened at 9 am Pacific time, and the Raiders wasted no time coming to terms on a new deal with cornerback Eric Stokes.
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Raiders are giving Stokes a three-year deal worth $30 million with $20 million guaranteed, so it's a big payday after he signed a small one-year deal last offseason to come to Las Vegas.
Stokes was selected by the Green Bay Packers at No. 20 overall in 2021, but he battled injuries after playing in 16 games as a rookie.
In 2022 and 2023 combined, Stokes played in just 12 games, but he had a huge breakout in Las Vegas and was a priority for the front office.
The Raiders also decided to move on from quarterback Geno Smith after one season, and they then traded away star pass rusher Maxx Crosby to the Baltimore Ravens for two first-round picks, so it has been a busy time in Sin City.
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler named Stokes as a sleeper in this class, and he even said he was "well-positioned" to get a big payday in free agency.
Spotrac's projection was at three years and $22 million, but Stokes gets more than that and has $20 million guaranteed in a well-deserved deal.
The Raiders' CB room all of a sudden looks good with 2025 third-round draft pick Darien Porter, along with Johnson and now Stokes back, so that's a positive for new head coach Klint Kubiak.
Packers reporter Peter Bukowski also gave props to Stokes after the deal, naming him as a solid locker room guy.
Raiders general manager John Spytek has not wasted time this offseason, and trading Crosby for an extra first-round pick this year, along with acquiring Johnson and signing Stokes, shows the front office is trying to put together a winning team after some rough seasons. Plus, cutting ties with Smith freed up some cap space.
With the negotiation window opening on Monday, Stokes is the first of what could be many moves by Las Vegas, and bringing back the young cornerback after a stellar 2025 season is a solid move for both sides.