This offseason, I took control of the Las Vegas Raiders in GM Mode on StickToTheModel with an aggressive plan: use strong starting cap space, reshape the roster, add premium talent in free agency, and build around a new quarterback through the draft.
Here’s how it played out.
The Big Picture
- Starting Cap Space: $91.5M
- Final Cap Space: $19.7M
- Players Cut: 5
- Contracts Restructured: 5
- Trades Made: 2
- Free Agents Signed: 15
- Draft Picks: 13
- Overall Grade: A
This was a high-volume offseason. Major roster turnover. Big investments. A clear long-term direction.
The Cap Moves
Cuts
Alex Cappa
- Cap Savings: +$5.0M
Phillip Dorsett
- Cap Savings: +$1.3M
Jamin Davis
- Cap Savings: +$1.2M
Albert Okwuegbunam
- Cap Savings: +$1.2M
Joshua Miles
- Cap Savings: +$1.2M
Clearing veteran contracts created flexibility to attack free agency.
Restructures
Five contracts were reworked to create additional space:
- Jeremy Chinn (+$2.9M)
- Maxx Crosby (+$19.2M)
- Geno Smith (+$12.7M)
- Tre Tucker (+$1.2M)
- Adam Butler (+$2.7M)
These restructures helped maintain cap health while keeping core contributors in place.
Trades
Sent Tre Tucker to San Francisco
- Received: 2026 Pick #127, 2026 Pick #138
Sent Geno Smith to the New York Jets
- Received: 2026 Pick #103
Moving the quarterback signaled a reset at the position and added future draft capital.
Free Agency Additions
Fifteen signings reshaped the roster with a heavy investment on both lines and the defense.
George Pickens (WR) – 4 years / $33.1M APY
Primary offensive weapon added to anchor the passing game.
Rasheed Walker (OT) – 3 years / $20.8M APY
Tackle help to protect the new quarterback.
Braden Smith (OT) – 3 years / $19.6M APY
Another major investment up front.
Tyler Linderbaum (IOL) – 2 years / $14.5M APY
Interior line reinforcement.
Kevin Zeitler (IOL) – 1 year / $7.3M APY
Veteran stability inside.
Tariq Woolen (CB) – 3 years / $17.6M APY
Length and athleticism added to the secondary.
Alontae Taylor (CB) – 2 years / $12.7M APY
Additional corner depth and versatility.
Boye Mafe (EDGE) – 2 years / $9.9M APY
Pass rush depth opposite Crosby.
Nakobe Dean (LB) – 3 years / $13.4M APY
Athletic linebacker to upgrade the middle of the defense.
Sheldon Rankins (DL) – 2 years / $12.8M APY
Interior defensive line presence.
Plus additional depth signings to round out the roster.
Draft Class Breakdown
Thirteen draft picks were used to build around a new quarterback and reinforce both lines.
Round 1 – Pick 1
Fernando Mendoza (QB, Indiana)
Round 2 – Pick 36
Christen Miller (DL, Georgia)
Round 3 – Pick 67
AJ Haulcy (S, LSU)
Round 4 – Pick 102
Jaishawn Barham (EDGE, Michigan)
Round 4 – Pick 103
Keylan Rutledge (OG, Georgia Tech)
Round 4 – Pick 117
Will Lee III (CB, Texas A&M)
Round 4 – Pick 127
Harold Perkins Jr (OLB, LSU)
Round 4 – Pick 134
JC Davis (OT, Illinois)
Round 4 – Pick 138
Demond Claiborne (RB, Wake Forest)
Round 5 – Pick 174
Aaron Anderson (WR, LSU)
Round 5 – Pick 181
Albert Regis (DL, Texas A&M)
Round 6 – Pick 184
Marlin Klein (TE, Michigan)
Round 7 – Pick 219
Jadon Canady (CB, Oregon)
The draft centered on securing a franchise quarterback and reinforcing the trenches.
Final Take
This was a complete roster reset. The Raiders moved on from the veteran quarterback, invested heavily in the offensive line, upgraded the secondary and front seven, and selected a new signal-caller at the top of the draft.
With major cap space used strategically and a full draft class added, the Raiders exit the offseason with a new direction and an A grade to show for it.
Want to Run Your Own Offseason?
I built this roster using GM Mode on StickToTheModel. If you want to take control of your favorite team, manage the cap, make trades, sign free agents, and run the draft yourself, you can do it there!
Be the GM of any team here:
Build it your way.
