This is The Gridiron Review’s Las Vegas Raiders 2023 Offseason Team Breakdown. We provide you with all things you need to know about the Raiders heading into FA and the draft. We also provide our thoughts on the needs of the team and how we think they can be addressed!

Las Vegas Raiders 2022 Record: 6-11

Las Vegas Raiders Salary Cap(According to Spotrac): $46,309,005

Notable Free Agents(According to Spotrac):

• Jarrett Stidham, QB
• Josh Jacobs, RB
• Ameer Abdullah, RB
• Mack Hollins, WR
• Foster Moreau, TE
• Brandon Parker, OL
• Clelin Ferrell, DL
• Jerry Tillery, DL
• Denzel Perryman, LB
• Jayon Brown, LB
• Rock Ya-Sin, CB
• Anthony Averett, CB
• Duron Harmon, S

Team Needs: QB, RB, WR(Depth), TE, OL, DL(More so depth), LB, CB, FS

3 Free Agent Targets(In No Order):

1. Tony Pollard, RB
2. Jawaan Taylor, OT
3. Jessie Bates III, S

Las Vegas Raiders First Round Pick(s): Pick 7

3 Draft Prospect Fits/Targets:

1. Paris Johnson, OL, Ohio State 
2. Siaka Ika, DL, Baylor
3. Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois

Our Raiders Ideal Offseason Plans/Thoughts:

• Josh McDaniels is extremely lucky that he still has a job. The first part of the Raiders Ideal Offseason Plan should actually be to get a competent HC, but it’s not. McDaniels already seems to have lost the locker room based on different interviews from key players toward the end of the season. 
• The most important note for the Raiders is to decide if you are competing or rebuilding, because McDanials does not seem to know. You are not an attractive destination to play for right now. If you want to draft a quarterback, you may as well trade Waller, Renfrow, Adams, and others because we doubt they will want to play for a rookie. If you want to compete, you need to pay up to get a guy like Lamar Jackson or Rodgers (as long as you are fine with regular season success only).
• You benched and later cut one of the franchise’s most beloved and loyal players. Derek Carr gave the Raiders organization everything he had. The guy you benched him for, Jarrett Stidham, is now a FA. It seemed like McDaniels master plan was to go get Tom Brady (which was not a great plan anyway), but that plan burned when Brady retired. Their roster on paper, particularly defensively, is not where we thought it was. The Raiders may panic and take a QB in this draft(most likely). If they want a play now QB it has to be Stroud or Young (who has a high floor and low ceiling). If Richardson falls to them, they are going to need a bridge QB. The situation is messy to say the least.
• Remember how I said earlier that players expressed frustration in interviews late in the season? Yea, well superstar RB Josh Jacobs happened to be one of those players. From a purely football perspective, Jacobs had his best/breakout season under McDaniels, so yes it makes sense for him to re-sign; however, when you factor in everything else, I don’t know if he’s going to want to go back to what’s slowly becoming a dumpster fire. Zamir White can be the future. McDaniels drafted him last year for a reason, but we also think he’s going to need a running mate. Someone like Pollard could go great with White in the backfield. 
• So technically the Raiders WR room is amazing with Adams and Renfrow. They could use some depth, but that’s manageable. Here’s the problem… Adams wanted to come to Vegas to specifically play with college teammate and best friend Derek Carr. There’s absolutely no reason for him to stay now. We wouldn’t be surprised if he asks to be traded for the second offseason in a row. We’ve also heard trade rumors around Renfrow’s name. If you lose both Adams and Renfrow, you are going to have to literally build an entirely new WR room. 
• Waller wasn’t able to stay healthy this season, and he’s yet another player that has trade rumors around his name. The simple solution and the one we like the most is prioritizing re-signing Foster Moreau. If you keep Waller, Moreau is one of the better TE2s and a solid insurance policy, and if you deal Waller then Moreau can step in as TE1(we think he played pretty well in Waller’s absence).
• The offensive line needs serious help. Miller and Parham should keep their jobs pretty much without question heading into next season, but the other 3 spots are pretty much up for grabs. Andre James could start again next year if you really need him to, but he is just average. Thayer Munford does not seem to be a starter. If you want a veteran we think Jawaan Taylor could be a solid FA signing. They could target Ohio State’s Paris Johnson at pick 7. Johnson is a versatile lineman who played both guard and tackle in college at a high level. 
• The Raiders have one of the best DEs in football in Maxx Crosby, but he could use some help. Chandler Jones has not worked out thus far, so another presence along the line is needed. They could use a second DT though next to Bilal Nichols. They did draft two DTs in the mid rounds last year(Butler and Farrell) who could compete for the other spot, but we think Siaka Ika could be a target for the Raiders. 
• Denzel Perryman has played pretty good football since being dealt to the Raiders. Re-signing him should be a priority to keep the foundation (him and Deablo) of the LB core together, but they are still missing “the guy” at LB. The LB FA class is pretty strong and they should be able to find a solid LB on day two of the draft. 
• The Raiders secondary has been their achilles heel for the last few years now. They need to address it early and with several players. Nate Hobbs was a great 5th round gem for them in 2021, but they need more. Devon Witherspoon could be another candidate for the Raiders at pick 7. At safety, Moehrig should keep his spot at SS, but they need to add a FS. We love Jessie Bates, and think that he is exactly what they are missing in their secondary. An elite safety and leader.
• UPDATE: Josh Jacobs has been franchise tagged