Every year, NFL teams release players after June 1 to save more cap space on roster cuts, and other teams like the Las Vegas Raiders can kick the tires on veterans who fit their needs at a low price.
The Raiders have holes or question marks across the depth chart with rookies and young inexperienced players in position to fill those spots, but it doesn’t hurt to bring in veteran insurance.
Keep in mind that the club will recoup an additional $23.8 million in cap space after it designated quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo as a post-June 1 cut.
General manager Tom Telesco could use the extra financial resources to extend players like edge-rusher Malcolm Koonce, or he can address a few key positions.
We’ll examine where Telesco can add more competition before training camp.
Las Vegas Raiders need more competition at cornerback
The Raiders have a glaring need at cornerback for two reasons.
After the front office let Amik Robertson and Tyler Hall walk in free agency, the team doesn’t have an experienced backup slot cornerback.
Remember, nickel defenses have become the new base alignment in today’s league, which means the slot cornerback plays more than half the team’s defensive snaps.
Nate Hobbs has played at least 76 percent of the Raiders’ defensive snaps in 2021 and 2023 as the primary slot defender. He has missed 10 games over the previous two years though. Without him, defensive coordinator Patrick Graham would have a huge void to fill on game day.
Also, Telesco may want to add a starting-caliber cornerback in case Jakorian Bennett isn’t ready to take over the starting job and Brandon Facyson struggles to bounce back from an injured-riddled season.
If the Raiders wait until the middle of the summer to sign a cornerback, they could miss out on top free agents such as Xavien Howard, Stephon Gilmore, Steven Nelson, and Adoree’ Jackson. However, it makes sense to allow Bennett time to show how much he’s improved after a rough rookie campaign.
At some point in June, Telesco may sign a veteran who’s capable of playing in the slot and on the boundary to cover his bases with an unsettled cornerback room.
Perhaps cornerback Tre Herndon could be an option. He worked with Raiders linebackers coach and defensive run game coordinator Mike Caldwell between 2022 and 2023 in Jacksonville.
Related: Top 5 free agent cornerbacks Las Vegas Raiders could sign to boost their defense
Right guard
Rookie third-rounder DJ Glaze played both tackle spots at Maryland.
According to The Athletic’s Tashan Reed, Glaze is the “only real competition” for Thayer Munford Jr. at right tackle.
If so, the Raiders should take a look at available guards on the post-June 1 free-agent market.
Third-year pro Dylan Parham and rookie second-rounder Jackson Powers-Johnson will likely start at guard with Cody Whitehair providing depth in multiple spots on the interior.
Though Whitehair has experience in offensive coordinator Luke Getsy’s system, he isn’t a lock to make the initial 53-man roster and has only played 34 snaps at right guard since 2018, per Pro Football Focus.
Right tackle
If Glaze isn’t a good fit at tackle because of his lack of athleticism and he transitions to guard, the Raiders would have to address the right tackle spot.
Thayer Munford Jr. wouldn’t have a viable backup unless second-year pro Dalton Wagner turns heads in the summer.
Munford aside, Andrus Peat has the most pro experience at right tackle on the roster, and he hasn’t made a start at the position since his 2015 rookie campaign.
Based on the 2024 draft, Telesco hopes to see two things develop at right tackle: Munford earns the starting job and Glaze shows some flashes behind him.
If only one or neither of those things happen, the Raiders would have a significant need at right tackle because of the lack of experience at the position among their backup offensive linemen.
Telesco can take a look at free agents Billy Turner and David Quessenberry or pick up a post-June 1 cut with swing tackle experience.
Maurice Moton covers the Las Vegas Raiders for Sportsnaut. You can follow him on Twitter at @MoeMoton.
