With ample cap space and the No. 1 pick, the Raiders target offensive line help, veteran cornerback, and a speedy receiver to ignite their rebuild.
A huge offseason is in store for the Las Vegas Raiders after a 3-14 season in 2025. With a new regime getting started under head coach Klint Kubiak, the Raiders are hoping to be a completely different animal in 2026.
The Las Vegas front office has been dealt a good hand to turn things around this offseason, selecting with the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s draft and having the second most available cap space heading into free agency.
The choice on who to select at No. 1 overall is clear due to the Raiders’ quarterback struggles: Indiana University QB Fernando Mendoza. The team’s free agency approach, however, is still up in the air. With $88 million to spend, expect the Raiders to invest heavily in bringing on talent to kick-start their rebuild. Here are three free agents that Las Vegas should pursue when free agency opens:
Tyler Linderbaum, C
It’s no secret that the Raiders had abysmal play from their offensive line last season, and if they want to give a rookie quarterback the best chance at adjusting to the NFL, they need to give him a respectable line up front.
Linderbaum is one of the best available free agents in this class, and his addition as the head of the offensive line would do wonders for Las Vegas. At just 25 years old, Linderbaum has made three consecutive Pro Bowls. The offensive line was the main concern for the Raiders last year, so it only makes sense for them to snag the best available lineman in free agency as a response.
Jamel Dean, CB
Dean wrapped up his seventh season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2025, where he had one of his best seasons yet. He defended 9 passes, forced two fumbles, and had three interceptions – one of which was returned for a touchdown. At 29 years old, Dean can provide a veteran presence in the Raiders’ secondary. If they also re-sign cornerback Eric Stokes, their pairing would be a strong one-two punch in what was one of the team’s weaker positions last season.
Rashid Shaheed, WR
Shaheed is coming off a Super Bowl win with Kubiak as his offensive coordinator, and he solidified himself as an important part of Seattle’s passing game in the second half of the season. Bringing Shaheed to Las Vegas would provide rookie quarterback Mendoza with a vertical threat while also being a great addition on special teams as a returner. Just four years into his career, Shaheed matches well with the direction the Raiders are heading.