After taking down the New York Giants in interim head coach Antonio Pierce’s first game at the helm, the Las Vegas Raiders are 4-5 and nominally still in the AFC playoff race. A win over the New York Jets on Sunday Night Football would keep the Raiders in the mix, but it’s hard not to look ahead to 2024 after Las Vegas fired general manager Dave Ziegler and head coach Josh McDaniels and installed Champ Bailey and Pierce as the club’s temporary decision-makers.
Whoever is calling the Raiders’ shots next season should have room to maneuver. Las Vegas projects to have $67 million in 2024 cap space, eighth-most in the NFL, and could create more by parting ways with veterans like QB Jimmy Garoppolo, WR Hunter Renfrow, and others.
Which internal free agents will the Raiders try to re-sign next offseason? Let’s run through the top Las Vegas players headed for the open market.
Who Are the Las Vegas Raiders’ Upcoming Free Agents?
RB Josh Jacobs
Fresh off the best campaign of his career, Josh Jacobs struggled to replicate the numbers that earned him a first-team All-Pro nod in 2022. Jacobs, the league’s rushing champion last year, ranked only 14th in yards per game (61.9) in 2023.
He hasn’t been able to evade tacklers or sustain production like he did in 2022. Jacobs ranked first among RBs in success rate that season (min. 150 carries), meaning he was consistently improving Las Vegas’ chances of scoring. He was 35th last year and slipped more than 10 percentage points, from 57.4% to 45.9%.
The Raiders franchise-tagged Jacobs last season, then upgraded the base value of his one-year deal to $11.8 million with another $200,000 available via incentives. But new general manager Tom Telesco may not want to invest that much in a running back, especially one who struggled as much as Jacobs did in 2023.
Jacobs is one year removed from looking like the NFL’s best running back and is still just 25 years old. But it’s difficult to project anything but a disappointing free agent contract, especially in a crowded RB market that may include Austin Ekeler, Saquon Barkley, Tony Pollard, D’Andre Swift, Derrick Henry, and others.
TE Austin Hooper
Austin Hooper has a few Pro Bowl seasons on his resume, but he wasn’t a significant part of the Raiders’ offense last season. With young Raiders TE Michael Mayer on the rise, Hooper will have to accept a clear No. 2 role if he re-signs with Las Vegas.
Among 45 tight ends with at least 30 targets in 2023, Hooper ranked just 41st in route participation rate. He can continue his career next season but might have to accept something close to the league minimum after collecting $2.2 million from the Raiders.
The Raiders’ Offensive Line
Las Vegas’ front five isn’t a star-studded unit, but they’re an underrated group according to ESPN’s metrics, which ranked the Raiders’ OL 15th in pass blocking and 18th in run blocking. Three starters are scheduled to reach free agency next offseason.
Andre James has played every snap at center for the Raiders since Rodney Hudson retired after the 2020 season. He’ll be coming off a two-year, $8.65 million extension and should be in for a pay bump after showing improvement over the last two seasons, especially as a pass protector.
Right guard Greg Van Roten has always been a fringe starter or high-end backup, but he’s outplayed his league minimum contract this season. Still, GVR is 33, so he’s probably not a long-term fit for Vegas.
Right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor sometimes rotated snaps with Thayer Munford last season. He was a decent 17-game starter for the Raiders in 2022 but didn’t generate any interest on the free agent market, ultimately re-signing with Las Vegas for just $3 million.
Other Raiders 2024 Free Agents
- RB Ameer Abdullah
- RB Brandon Bolden
- RB Austin Walter (restricted free agent)
- FB Jakob Johnson
- WR DeAndre Carter
- TE Jesper Horsted
- OT Justin Herron
- OT Brandon Parker
- OL Hronnis Grasu
- DT Adam Butler
- DT John Jenkins
- DT Bilal Nichols
- LB Curtis Bolton
- CB Tyler Hall (RFA)
- CB Amik Robertson
- CB Roderic Teamer
Miss football? The 2024 NFL Draft is almost here, boss. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!