Heading into the 2024 NFL season, the Las Vegas Raiders’ defense was faced with big expectations. The unit was expected to be one of the best in the league due to their strong performance down the stretch one year prior. There was assumed depth at every position, including the safeties.
That position hasn’t been especially bad in comparison to others on the defense. However, just as multiple position-groups have, the depth at safety has been tested due to injuries throughout the year. Las Vegas lost Marcus Epps to an injury in Week 3; in the meantime, Tre’von Moehrig and Isaiah Pola-Mao have done their best to hold the last line of defense down.
While both Moehrig and Pola-Mao have played well, it’s clear that if the safety room wants to take a step forward as a whole in 2025, depth will need to be added. These three free agents present the best opportunity to give the Raiders just that.
Las Vegas Raiders: Taking a closer look at three free agent safeties
Justin Reid: A well-rounded safety already in the AFC West
The Raiders have seen Justin Reid twice now this season. Reid, a three-year member of the AFC West, has intercepted 10 passes throughout his career. He’s been able to get his hands on an additional 46 more, too.
Reid is a member of the Kansas City Chiefs‘ staunch defense, and has put together yet another quality season in 2024. With a 77.4 coverage grade via Pro Football Focus, only nine safeties across the NFL have a better grade than the 27-year-old through 17 weeks. Reid has been plenty serviceable against the run as well, earning a mark of 75.9 on such downs.
His biggest moment of the season came on a game-winning field goal block against the Denver Broncos in Week 10.
As things stand, Reid is currently in the last year of his contract. He’ll be available this offseason for a team looking to add his talents.
While it’s a big ‘if’, if Las Vegas was able to poach Reid away from Kansas City, it would be a massive move for the defense. The Stanford alum has experience playing in both safety spots, bringing an element of versatility to a position that currently doesn’t have much in Sin City.
Reid is about as well-rounded as they come. On top of being effective against both the run and the pass, the former third-round pick has game-wrecking abilities on special teams. He’ll be one of the more expensive names in this upcoming free agent class, but may be worth the high price-tag.
Reid would certainly be a valuable addition to Patrick Graham’s defense.
Tre’Von Moehrig: Keeping a talented safety with the Las Vegas Raiders
Here, we’ve got a familiar name, and he’s currently in Sin City. However, that might not be the case for long. Moehrig is set to see his rookie contract expire after this season concludes, making him a free agent for the first time in his career.
While Moehrig has struggled at times, he’s a player worth keeping around. Per PFF’s grading system, the TCU alum has earned an overall grade of 69.6, ranking 41st among 165 eligible safeties. He’s been especially good against the run, as proven by his 86.5 grade; the eighth-highest of all safeties.
It’s fair to say that Moehrig can improve against the pass–however, this is a safety who typically breaks up a large number of would-be completions. In both 2022 and 2023, Las Vegas’ former second-round pick ranked top-six among all safeties via forced incompletions; passes that the player themselves broke up. Unfortunately, Moehrig has taken a step backwards in this area, batting away only three balls during his ’24 campaign.
Keeping their most proven and talented safety would be a smart move for the Raiders, much more-so at a position where depth is a concern. Moehrig shouldn’t cost a ton to retain, and his ability to defend the run could be worth keeping him alone.
Marcus Maye: A Reliable Depth Option
Maye is another player Las Vegas could steal from a divisional rival. Currently a member of the Los Angeles Chargers, the eight-year veteran is ready to hit the open market in March.
Since entering the NFL in 2017, Maye has spent most of his career being a legitimate contributor. Now at the age of 31 years old, his 2024 campaign might be the most complete of his career.
With a 72.9 overall grade, only 28 safeties league-wide can claim they have a better mark than Maye. The current AFC West safety has one interception and pass break-up to his name, allowing only 50% of passes his way to be completed. With a 61.2 opposing quarterback rating when targeted, Maye is currently enjoying a career-best.
The most impressive part of Maye’s game right now is that there aren’t any areas in which he struggles. He’s able to play well against both the run and the pass. Despite entering his 30s, Maye hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down yet.
*Top Photo: USA Today Sports
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