Three free agents the Raiders should consider signing

Even with the draft over, the Las Vegas Raiders have some options when it comes to their depth.

Looking through the roster, the Raiders are still in a fair amount of trouble at a few positions. Fortunately, there are still plenty of free agents who have slipped through the cracks who can come it and at least provide some competition. With no more risk of losing compensatory draft picks as a result of signing free agents, the Raiders do not have to worry about upsetting their youth movement by bringing in meaningful depth.

Here are three free agents the Raiders should be looking at closely to address some of their thinner positions.

Mike Hilton, CB

It is shocking that the Raiders have so far neglected the slot cornerback role on defense.

Since Nate Hobbs left for the Green Bay Packers in the early days of free agency, the Raiders have addressed the secondary, but have not found a true replacement. Currently, the starting slot cornerback is set to be Darnay Holmes, who has only started 12 games in his five NFL seasons. Needless to say, that is far from an ideal solution for a team hoping to turn things around quickly.

Hilton did have his struggles with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2024, but signing with the Raiders instantly makes him the best slot cornerback on the roster. The 31-year-old has been one of the most consistent players at the position, putting up Pro Football Focus grades of 70.0 or over in coverage in six of his last eight seasons. A durable and reliable playmaker is just what the Raiders need to plug that hole in Patrick Graham’s defense, even if just for a year or two.

Hilton stands as the best bet to sign with the Raiders, and there is no reason why general manager John Spytek should not make the call.

Kyzir White, LB

Along with slot cornerback, linebacker continues to stick out as a need for the Raiders.

In place of Robert Spillane and Divine Deablo from last season are Elandon Roberts and Devin White, but both of their struggles in coverage and the lack of depth behind them are concerns. A play for New England Patriots restricted free agent Christian Elliss fell through, and the team did not address the position until the seventh round by drafting Cody Lindenberg. Spytek would be wise to search for some depth in order to prevent opposing teams from taking advantage of a porous middle of their defense.

White is a player that is somewhat surprising to see still looking for a job in May. While he is 29 years old and has his own issues in coverage, he is an upgrade over White for a starting position. Starting all 17 games with the Arizona Cardinals last season, White landed 137 total tackles, two and a half sacks and an interception, showcasing versatility and starting experience.

White is not necessarily a perfect solution, but he adds depth to a linebacker room in desperate need of it.

Keenan Allen, WR

Amari Cooper may be the apple of Raider Nation’s collective eye, but there is reason to believe that Allen is the better fit.

Unlike slot cornerback and linebacker, the Raiders heavily addressed the wide receiver position during the draft. Second-round rookie Jack Bech is expected to start right away, most likely as a big slot receiver. Fourth-round rookie Dont’e Thornton Jr. is expected to serve as a developmental project with serious athletic traits, and sixth-round rookie Tommy Mellott is expected to transition to the position from quarterback to better take advantage of his athleticism.

Although the youth at the position is a nice touch, adding a veteran like Allen is a boost to the lineup. Allen has spent the last two seasons with wide receivers coach Chris Beatty, splitting time between the Los Angeles Chargers and Chicago Bears. While the 33-year-old had a down year from his normal expectations, he still recorded 70 receptions for 744 yards and seven touchdowns; in any season where he was healthy, Allen has never had a season in his 12-year career with less than 60 receptions or 700 yards.

Adding Allen to the receiver corps gives the Raiders another option, taking the pressure off of Brock Bowers and Jakobi Meyers while allowing Bech to ease himself into the professional game.