The AFC West is a tough division. In 2024, the Chiefs, Chargers, and Broncos all made the NFL playoffs. That had to sting a bit as a Raiders fan. But there is still some hope in the building. They certainly hit on super star Brock Bowers. And they were able to bring team captain Maxx Crosby back on an extension.

Now it’s time to build an offense that can start competing. It starts with quarterback but there are a lot of holes to fill. They are currently top five in cap space, so they have the assets to work with.

We’ll dig into the Chargers depth chart, contracts, cap space, and free agents to figure out what the best course of action is here. Maybe we can even use that info in our dynasty fantasy football leagues or 2025 NFL Mock Drafts!

UPDATE the Las Vegas Raiders have traded a third round pick to the Seattle Seahawks for quarterback Geno Smith

*The salary cap numbers referenced in this article come courtesy of our friends over at Spotrac.com*

 

 

 

Las Vegas Raiders Depth Chart 2025 (Fantasy Football Relevant)

QB

Gardner Minshew

Aidan O'Connell

Desmond Ridder

RB

Sincere McCormick

Alexander Mattison

Dylan Laube

RB

Zamir White

Ameer Abdullah

Chris Collier

WR

Jakobi Meyers

Terrace Marshall

 

WR

Tre Tucker

DJ Turner

Ramel Keyton

TE

Brock Bowers

Justin Shorter

 

TE

Michael Mayer

Harrison Bryant

 
  • White = unrestricted free agent
  • Green = role is safe
  • Yellow = role in flux
  • Orange = likely a depth piece
  • Red = roster spot not guaranteed

Las Vegas Raiders Free Agency 2025

  • CURRENT PROJECTED TOP 51 2025 SALARIES: ~$231M
  • CURRENT ESTIMATED 2025 TEAM CAP SPACE: ~$82M

 

 

 

Raiders Quarterback Depth Chart

Gardner Minshew: Bringing in Minshew was worth a shot, but it didn’t work out in the end. He’s been formally informed that he’ll be released which means he can at least talk to teams leading into free agency. And, if a team wants to take on his contract, they could still throw the Raiders a 7th round pick for him like the Texans did with Christian Kirk.

Minshew now needs to figure out what kind of a backup he will be. Does he want to be a backup on a contender with a locked-in starter where he could play meaningful games if the starter gets hurt? Or does he want to potentially compete with/mentor a young player (possibly a rookie)? There are options for both available at the right price. 

Aidan O’Connell: It feels unlikely at this stage that O’Connell is the QB of the future. If they retain him and draft a quarterback, he could end up starting some games like Jacoby Brissett did in New England. If they bring in a clear veteran starter, like Russell Wilson, he has no shot. He’s on a cheap deal if they want to keep him  

There have also been rumblings that he could be traded, like Sam Howell and Desmond Ridder were. In very deep superflex or two QB dynasty leagues maybe you hold onto him to see if he starts some games. But it’s tough to trust him regardless. 

Desmond Ridder: The Raiders already informed Ridder that they will not pick up his restricted free agent tender. So, he’s off to free agency where he will battle to remain in the league. 

RAIDERS QB FREE AGENCY TAKE: 

UPDATE the Las Vegas Raiders have traded a third round pick to the Seattle Seahawks for quarterback Geno Smith

Tom Brady and company seem pretty adamant that they want to bring in a quarterback now that is ready to compete. They have the sixth pick in the NFL Draft which makes it a real possibility they could grab someone there. They could also sign one of a number of free agents out there. Or both.

Money is no problem so let’s start at the top. Russell Wilson probably still has the best NFL skill set at this moment. Sam Darnold is a little less “safe” but he’s also quite a bit younger than Wilson with room to grow.

Guys like Daniel Jones and Mac Jones are out there though Justin Fields is looking more and more likely to stay in Pittsburgh. Then, of course, you have guys like Aaron Rodgers and Kirk Cousins where you question how much they have left in the tank.

They could potentially draft someone and pair him with a reclamation project like Zach Wilson, Trey Lance, or Drew Lock. That kind of competition can be a good litmus test about where your rookie stands. That’s what the Broncos did last year with Bo Nix and Zach Wilson. We prefer considering the top dogs though.

POSSIBLE FREE AGENT OPTIONS: Russel Wilson, Sam Darnold, Justin Fields, Mac Jones, Daniel Jones

 

 

 

Raiders Running Back Depth Chart

Sincere McCormick: Sincere McCormick was able to climb from the bottom of this depth chart to the top as he impressed the previous coaching staff. But that’s just it - it was the previous regime. Pete Carroll is no stranger to underdogs as he went with the undrafted Chris Carson even over the first-round pick Rashaad Penny in Seattle. But McCormick will need to earn this role.

Right now, for me, McCormick is a hold in dynasty. He cost you nothing to acquire. And no one will give you anything worthwhile right now. He has a shot at the job so why not see how it plays out? If someone IS willing to give you a 2nd round rookie pick, however, I’d take it. No use trading for a 3rd though.

Zamir White: Zamir White had a shot at a major role but didn’t really run away with it. Now, with one year left on his deal, it’s believed that the Raiders are putting him on the trade block. If no one bites he could be released with $1.1M in savings and less than $200K in dead cap. 

Alexander Mattison: Mattison is another journeyman back that had some steam at one point but has never really flashed. He’s still 26 years old and, in a thin RB market, he should get a shot to earn a backup role somewhere. He’s an unrestricted free agent and I don’t see him back in Las Vegas. 

Ameer Abdullah: Ameer Abdullah returns both punts and kicks which should land him a gig. Roster spots are valuable so having one guy that can do both reliably is nice. He could even find his way back onto this roster. He’s an unrestricted free agent. 

Dylan Laube: Laube was a deep dynasty darling out of New Hampshire. But he never quite got on the field on offense. And that is a bit of an indictment considering the lack of RB talent combined with the injuries. He’s not a guarantee to make the roster but he does return kicks which could be useful if Ameer Abdullah walks. 

Chris Collier: The Raiders signed Collier after he was released by the Ravens. He ended the year on the IR so he’s technically under contract but can be released with $960K in savings, zero dead cap. He’ll have to make this roster from scratch.

RAIDERS RB FREE AGENCY TAKE: The Raiders have all the money in the world and a coach who likes to run the football. Offensive coordinator Chip Kelly runs an up-tempo offense so it will be interesting to see what that looks like. This is a deep running back class in the draft, but the Raiders do have the luxury to pay any back that they would like.

Najee Harris is clearly the top back in free agency. If they were to bring in someone like Russell Wilson or Aaron Rodgers, they WOULD all of a sudden be in a position to go for older options like Nick Chubb or Aaron Jones. The young(ish) free agents out there are guys like JK Dobbins or Javonte Williams.

POSSIBLE FREE AGENT OPTIONS: Najee Harris, Nick Chubb, Aaron Jones, J.K. Dobbins, Javonte Williams, Rico Dowdle, Jordan Mason (via trade)

 

 

 

Raiders Wide Receiver Depth Chart

Jakobi Meyers: The Patriots let Jakobi Meyers walk and gave JuJu Smith-Schuster virtually the same money. That proved to be a pretty big mistake. Jakobi Meyers is a rock-solid slot/flanker but doesn’t really have the size to play split end.

The question for his fantasy value is whether they bring in another target hog. Brock Bowers will get his targets. So, there’s really only room for one other fantasy-relevant guy. Rookies can faceplant which would keep Meyers in the mix for 100+ targets but it’s a risky game. Dynasty is such a top-heavy game that it is hard to win with guys like Meyers in the lineup regardless so I would cash out if you can.

Tre Tucker: Tre Tucker also isn’t a split end. When the Raiders traded Davante Adams, they basically just used two tight ends instead of a big bodied WR. If they make any addition at WR, Tre Tucker falls on the backburner pretty hard and essentially just becomes a backup for Meyers. He wasn’t super relevant last year in a large role as it was. He’s on a fairly cheap deal though so I expect them to keep him around. 

DJ Turner: Turner operated as the WR3 while also helping on kicks and punts. If Tucker moves down the depth chart and Ameer Abdullah is back, he could be expendable. Otherwise, he will be in the mix for those return duties. 

Terrace Marshall: Terrace Marshall has essentially been the one LSU wide receiver prospect that hasn’t panned out in recent years. It was worth giving him a shot but, if he couldn’t pop competing with Tre Tucker and DJ Turner, I’m not sure when he will. He’s an unrestricted free agent. 

Ramel Keyton: Keyton was signed to a two-year deal but he’s technically not in a much different position than the guys on reserve/futures contracts. He can be released with $960K in cap space and zero dead money. So, he’ll try to make this team via special teams with the rest of those guys. 

RAIDERS WR FREE AGENCY TAKE: The presence of Brock Bowers makes things a little easier on this front for the Raiders as he’s essentially just a big wide receiver. They have a couple slot/flankers under contract in Jakobi Meyers and Tre Tucker. They could use two things here. They could use a big split end that can tether his foot to the line. And they could use some kind of speed element.

Again, if an older QB coming in to compete right away like Russell Wilson or Aaron Rodgers is the guy then it opens you up to older players like Davante Adams, DeAndre Hopkins, Amari Cooper etc. Otherwise, a draft pick or someone younger like Nick Westbrook-Ikhine-Ihkine might be the way to go

POSSIBLE FREE AGENT OPTIONS: Split End - Davante Adams, Amari Cooper, DeAndre Hopkins, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine-Ikhine. Field-Stretcher: Brandin Cooks, Hollywood Brown, Nelson Agholor, Marquez Valdes-Scantling

 

 

 

Raiders Tight End Depth Chart

Brock Bowers: What is there really to say? Brock Bowers was “as advertised” and crushed as a rookie despite being the focal point of the offense. And the scary part is that he could be even BETTER as he was recovering from tightrope surgery on a high ankle sprain in the offseason. The sky's the limit for him.

Because Sam LaPorta took a big step back in year two you MAY be able to pry Bowers away at a reasonable price. Bowers did his damage with targets rather than touchdowns so there really is no comparison. But that flawed thinking could help you if you sow those seeds. This guy could be locked into your fantasy lineup for the next decade.  

Michael Mayer: Michael Mayer was drafted as a “two-way” tight end that plays inline. And that’s how he was used. Brock Bowers is more of a “big slot” tight end. They could continue on that path, but the rumor mill right now is that Michael Mayer is on the trade block. 

There are reportedly “plenty of teams” interested in acquiring him though one of the most prominent rumors is swapping him for the Bengals Trey Hendrickson, who has requested a trade.

Harrison Bryant: Harrison Bryant is also an inline “two-way” tight end. And Chip Kelly’s offense does historically use multiple tight ends. If they do want to maintain that role, Bryant is a candidate to return. But he’s an unrestricted free agent right now. 

Justin Shorter: Justin Shorter was drafted as a wide receiver by the Buffalo Bills. But the Raiders have decided they want to try to transition him into a tight end, possibly to be the backup for Brock Bowers if anything happens.

That’s basically what Elijah Higgins is behind Trey McBride in Arizona. In really deep leagues there is some intrigue there. He could also be released with zero dead cap if it doesn’t pan out. I hope they keep him because that’s fun for fantasy football.

  • Reserves/Futures: N/A

RAIDERS TE FREE AGENCY TAKE: Brock Bowers is a star. But he really is more of a “big slot” WR. It’s a waste to have him playing with his hand in the dirt. So, they’ll want to have either a two-way inline tight end or a pure blocking tight end available. Or both. Here are some options in free agency if they do trade Michael Mayer.

POSSIBLE FREE AGENT OPTIONS: Harrison Bryant, Tyler Conklin, Austin Hooper, Hayden Hurst, Irv Smith, Durham Smythe, Mo Alie-Cox