Before free agency, the Las Vegas Raiders were active. They kept one of their own, Adam Butler, and also made a bold move by bringing in Geno Smith at quarterback.
However, once free agency began, the Raiders initially seemed quiet. Some defensive players, including Robert Spillane, Nate Hobbs and Tre’Von Moehrig, all signed elsewhere, while the Raiders remained stagnant. They’ve made some moves since, but the fan base seems split as to whether they’ve actually improved or not during free agency so far.
With that in mind, let’s examine how the 2025 Raiders will differ.
How have the Raiders improved in the first wave of free agency?
Arguably the biggest way the Raiders have improved through free agency is in terms of run defense. It did hurt to lose Spillane, as well as Moehrig, who could each bring some talent in that regard. However, the Raiders have made two additions, which should improve this aspect of the defense in 2025. Those two signings are Jeremy Chinn and Elandon Roberts.
As for Chinn, he is a different type of safety than Moehrig was, so he shouldn’t be looked at as his direct replacement. With that said, he can bring it in run defense. Pro Football Focus gave Chinn a 72.2 run defense grade, leaving him 48th-highest out of 170 eligible players. As for Roberts, it’s even more impressive. Roberts was given a 90.4 run defense grade by PFF, the fifth-highest out of 189 eligible players.
Both Roberts and Chinn have struggled in pass coverage. Still, the Raiders must improve in this area, especially in the secondary. However, the two players they’re essentially replacing, Moehrig and Spillane, weren’t the best easier. So, pass defense isn’t necessarily something they downgraded, but it does still need some work.
Ultimately, the Raiders’ new additions share a common theme, especially in their defensive capabilities. That would be size and physicality. We’ve already talked about the added run defense from Chinn and Roberts, but another thing to take notice of is the sheer size of their safeties. At 6’3″ and 6’4″, respectively, Chinn and Isaiah Pola-Mao are currently the starting safeties, and both are long, physically strong players. Not that they’re on the same skill level, but the size they bring is interesting. That’s something Pete Carroll coveted during the ‘Legion of Boom’ era in Seattle.
How did the Silver and Black get worse?
Although the Raiders probably wouldn’t have compensated for the salaries of some of their departing players, it’s undeniable that Las Vegas experienced a reduction in defensive depth. Moehrig, Hobbs, and Spillane leaving does sting.
Yes, the Raiders did sign some replacements in Chinn, Roberts, and Eric Stokes. With that said, they still lost three starters. Retaining players like Malcolm Koonce and Adam Butler is helpful on the defensive line. Behind that, though, they’ve lost a substantial amount of depth in the backend of the unit.
In particular, we should closely monitor the linebacker position. Roberts will bring much-needed veteran help. Aside from him, though, the unit is extremely young. Amari Burney, Tommy Eichenberg, and Amari Gainer are some of the biggest names Las Vegas has at the position. There’s certainly potential there, but it’s a young, unproven group of players. This could very well be a position the Raiders address in the draft.
Overall, one of the biggest things the fan base has been critical of is the Raiders lack of a dramatic move. Viewing their free agent period from afar, it looks solid. They lost some of their key defenders from the past few seasons but did add some depth to the defense in general. Although it came via trade, the Raiders did manage to add their starting QB in Geno Smith, too.
Overall, though, there weren’t any major moves. Some fans view that as a good thing, while others don’t. The Raiders might be better off spending less money, since a championship doesn’t seem to be around the corner anyway. However, you usually get what you pay for, and the Raiders haven’t paid for much.
*Top Photo: Getty Images
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