By Ed Condran
It’s time to look ahead after the Las Vegas Raiders’ disappointing 2024-25 season has ended. The draft and free agency are some of the focal points for The Silver & Black.
The glaring need for the Raiders is at quarterback. A franchise signal caller is at the top of the list for the Raiders. However, a Week 16 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars knocked the Raiders potentially out of the running for the two top quarterbacks in the draft, Cam Ward and Shadeur Sanders.
Will the Raiders have a shot at Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold, who signed a one-year deal in March and has enjoyed a career resurgence? The odds are no since why would the Vikings develop a quarterback, who is in the MVP conversation, even though they have J.J. McCarthy waiting in the wings?
The Raiders only hope is that the Vikings place the franchise tag on Darnold and either trade the comeback player of the year or McCarthy. If that happens, it will cost a treasure trove of draft picks for either quarterback.
The Raiders’ next signal caller is unknown, and the same might be said for the coach. Antonio Pierce, who did a nice job in interim capacity in 2023, had a rough season, The Raiders didn’t win a game in October, November and for much of December. How much blame can be placed on Pierce. Mike Ditka once said, “I win when I have good players, I lose when I don’t.”
The Raiders can use an infusion of talent and build around superstars such as rookie tight end Brock Bowers. On the other side of the line is menacing Maxx Crosby, who had another outstanding campaign at edge rusher.
The good news for the Raiders is that they have money to spend. The Raiders are expected to be second in NFL salary cap space in 2025. The Raiders are projected to have $112 million to spend, The only team ahead of the Raiders in salary cap for 2025 is the New England Patriots.
The Raiders will most likely focus on wide receiver and running back to go along with quarterback to bolster their offense. It will be fascinating to see how the Raiders fill out their roster since there are several voids to fill. The roster is a challenge, but so is playing in the most competitive division in the AFC.
