With the 2024 NFL Draft in the rearview mirror, it’s time to look at how the Las Vegas Raiders offseason has gone so far. Compared to 2023, it’s been great.
The Raiders entered this offseason with a new General Manager and Head Coach. This is nothing new for Raiders fans since there’s been constant turnover since 1995. However, this offseason has felt different yet familiar in some ways under Tom Telesco and Antonio Pierce.
The team made a big move for a big name in free agency. They brought in a scrappy veteran quarterback on a 2-year deal. They also resigned most of their players while letting a star player walk.
If this sounds familiar, it’s because it’s similar to almost every offseason for the Raiders. The biggest difference is that the Las Vegas Raiders made sensible moves. In addition, the Raiders didn’t overpay for anybody and drafted wisely.
Free Agency Turned Up Aces
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For the Raiders, they entered an offseason of some uncertainty. They had to hire a new Head Coach and a new General Manager. They decided to stick with Antonio Pierce after a massive swelling of support from fans and players alike and hired former Los Angeles Chargers General Manager Tom Telesco.
Since bringing in the new regime, the Raiders have been incredibly busy this offseason. Despite letting former star running back Josh Jacobs leave for Green Bay, they added some serious firepower in stud defensive tackle Christian Wilkins on a four-year $110 million contract. The Raiders signed Gardner Minshew to a two-year deal to compete for the starting quarterback role.
Former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Michael Gallup was also just signed to a one-year deal worth three million to compete for a starting receiver job. Across the board, the Raiders looked to compete with the Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs in their division. The Raiders looked at the holes on the roster and addressed a majority of the issues in free agency.
Quarterback, defensive tackle, and even the receiver room all heavily improved from 2023. What also helps is the Raiders letting go of former quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. Since “Jimmy G” was suspended for two games in the 2024 season, the Raiders will free up an additional $24 million in cap space after June 2nd, enabling them to make more moves.
Las Vegas Raiders Didn’t Reach On Draft Day
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Perhaps the one thing football fans and even non-football fans know the Las Vegas Raiders for is reaching on draft day. Their draft day reaches are legendary with first-round reaches like Celin Ferrell, Damon Arnette, and Alex Leatherwood ending up as draft busts in recent years. This year, the Raiders went for the best players available.
Brock Bowers was by far the best player on the board after a record six quarterbacks went in the first 12 picks. He wasn’t the obvious selection since the Raiders drafted tight end Michael Mayer last season, but the Raiders had the foresight to pair the two together. Second-round pick Jaxson Powers-Johnson was also a phenomenal pick that will fill a much-needed hole at offensive guard.
The remainder of the Raiders draft picks also filled holes on the roster. Delmar Glaze is a solid offensive tackle prospect who could challenge either for a tackle job or at guard. Decamerion Richardson is a 6’2 cornerback that ran a 4.3 40-yard dash time in a division that features speedsters like Marquise Brown and record-breaker Xavier Worthy.
Perhaps the most underrated draft pick was running back Dylan Laube. Laube could start as a returner after the NFL changed the kickoff rules again and even running back number two behind starter Zamir White. Trey Taylor was the Las Vegas Raiders seventh-round selection and won the Jim Thorpe Award at Air Force, making him the second member of the current Raiders secondary to hoist the trophy.
Las Vegas Raiders Improved the Most In Division
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While the Super Bowl Champs might be in the same division as the Raiders, it’s hard not to look at the offseason moves in Las Vegas and not at least think this team might give them a run for the division crown next season. It might sound like a crazy statement. But consider that the Raiders went into Arrowhead Stadium and beat the Chiefs on Christmas Day.
The Denver Broncos are currently in a state of ruins. The Los Angeles Chargers are in a rut despite hiring Jim Harbaugh. The Chiefs are the only team between the Las Vegas Raiders and a division title in 2024-25.
It has been 22 seasons since the Las Vegas Raiders won the AFC West. In that time, they’ve seen every team in the AFC West win multiple division titles. They’ve even had to stomach seeing the Broncos and Chiefs win Super Bowls including one at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
The time has come for a change. This offseason could be the turning point for the Las Vegas Raiders. They made the playoffs in 2021 and after all of these changes, it might be their time again.
About The Author
Alex is a writer at Total Apex Sports and Total Apex Gaming. He’s a loyal fan of many teams, including the Las Vegas Raiders and San Francisco Giants. You can find him on X at @alex_furtotti.
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