The Raiders had $111 million in cap space entering the first day of free agency negotiation and they did their level best to spend it. Needing, well, pretty much everything and having traded Maxx Crosby to the Ravens, the filled some big holes Monday agreeing to terms with the following:
• Center Tyler Linderbaum, whom they poached from the Ravens and made him the highest-paid center in NFL history at $27 million per season. • Linebacker Quay Walker, late of the Packers, for three years and $40.5 million, $28 million guaranteed. • Linebacker Nakobe Dean, a Super Bowl champ with the Eagles and a former Georgia teammate with Walker, for three years and $36 million. • Former Colts defensive end Kwity Paye, three years and $48 million. • Wide receiver Jalen Nailor (Vikings) for three years, $35 million. • Bills cornerback Taron Johnson, in a swap of late-rund picks whihc has not been reported. Johnson has two years and $18.6 million remaining on his contract, with 2026 fully guaranteed.
The Raiders also have two first-round picks in April, the first-overall expected to be Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza; the 14th pick, expected to be offensive line or wide receiver.
My take: The Raiders finally have a GM who knows what he's doing — John Spytek came from the Buccaneers organization, and head coach Klint Kubiak just won a Super Bowl as the OC for the Seahawks. Kubiak is smart, knowing Mendoza is going to need a top center, which also pushes Jackson Powers-Johnson over to a better-suited guard spot, making the interior line stronger for running back Ashton Jeanty. The Raiders are moving to a 3-4 base defense in 2026, so pairing the former Bulldogs together was a smart move. The Raiders are showing signs of life, still have $40 million to spend and wield 11 picks in the upcoming draft.
THE ASYLUM
Raiders reload
The Raiders had $111 million in cap space entering the first day of free agency negotiation and they did their level best to spend it. Needing, well, pretty much everything and having traded Maxx Crosby to the Ravens, the filled some big holes Monday agreeing to terms with the following:
• Center Tyler Linderbaum, whom they poached from the Ravens and made him the highest-paid center in NFL history at $27 million per season.
• Linebacker Quay Walker, late of the Packers, for three years and $40.5 million, $28 million guaranteed.
• Linebacker Nakobe Dean, a Super Bowl champ with the Eagles and a former Georgia teammate with Walker, for three years and $36 million.
• Former Colts defensive end Kwity Paye, three years and $48 million.
• Wide receiver Jalen Nailor (Vikings) for three years, $35 million.
• Bills cornerback Taron Johnson, in a swap of late-rund picks whihc has not been reported. Johnson has two years and $18.6 million remaining on his contract, with 2026 fully guaranteed.
The Raiders also have two first-round picks in April, the first-overall expected to be Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza; the 14th pick, expected to be offensive line or wide receiver.
My take: The Raiders finally have a GM who knows what he's doing — John Spytek came from the Buccaneers organization, and head coach Klint Kubiak just won a Super Bowl as the OC for the Seahawks. Kubiak is smart, knowing Mendoza is going to need a top center, which also pushes Jackson Powers-Johnson over to a better-suited guard spot, making the interior line stronger for running back Ashton Jeanty. The Raiders are moving to a 3-4 base defense in 2026, so pairing the former Bulldogs together was a smart move. The Raiders are showing signs of life, still have $40 million to spend and wield 11 picks in the upcoming draft.
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