Las Vegas Raiders free agency: Offensive targets

The Las Vegas Raiders made huge strides in the 2026 NFL offseason by signing receiver Jalen Nailor, center Tyler Linderbaum, linebackers Quay Walker, Nakobe Dean and defensive lineman Kwity Paye to three-year contracts, while also re-signing veteran cornerback Eric Stokes, EDGE EDGE Malcolm Koonce and defensive tackle Thomas Booker. The Raiders also made two additional trades with linebacker Connor Heyward and receiver/special teams ace Dalek Young to lower-value contracts. Las Vegas currently has about $35 million in cap space, not including the contracts of Quay Walker, Connor Hayward, Derrick Young and Matt Gay, but after accounting for those signings, Las Vegas should have about $24 million in cap space, with additional room to move if they retool Maxx Crosby or Kolton Miller. Las Vegas’ roster is 63 of 90, and they have plenty of room to add additional players on lower-value deals as veterans look to sign before the draft.

QB Kirk Cousins

Cousins ​​turns 38 in August, and the veteran quarterback has found his options drying up recently, with both the Falcons and Vikings signing former first-rounders as backups. Additionally, Cousins ​​is looking for an opportunity to push for a starting job, and Las Vegas will allow him to do that under former coaches Andrew Janoco and Clint Kubiak. The Raiders reportedly did not want Fernando Mendoza to start right away, and Cousins ​​had nearly 180 NFL games of experience, including 167 starts, making him a powerful mentor to Mendoza and keeping the Raiders competitive until his death.

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QB Joe Flacco

Similar to Cousins, Flacco will keep the Raiders competitive while also having a veteran quarterback to help guide Mendoza as he gets his start in the NFL. Flacco, who earned his first Pro Bowl in 2025, has been successful throughout his career with over 200 career starts, finishing the 2025 season with 2,479 yards, 15 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, and a 60% completion rate. Flacco is considering a return to Cincinnati, although the opportunity to compete for the starting job initially is also attractive to the 41-year-old.

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RB Najee Harris

Harris suffered a season-ending injury in Week 3 against the Broncos, although he is a high-potential signing for Las Vegas and, at only 28 years old, could form a formidable duo with Jeandy if healthy. Harris is a true short-yardage power back who does have long-distance ability, with 41 career carries of 15 or more yards and 103 total carries of 10 or more yards. Harris has reached 1,000 yards in four of his five seasons in the NFL, and has 4,460 yards and 28 touchdowns in his career. Harris also does provide value as a receiver, with 1,229 yards and six touchdowns in his career. Harris likely won’t be worth much after his injury, and he doesn’t offer a ton of energy as a distance runner, but could provide a solid complement to Jeanty to help in short-yardage situations.

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