The Las Vegas Raiders are entering a pivotal offseason, and while the spotlight is understandably on Fernando Mendoza - the national championship-winning quarterback fresh off his title run with the Indiana Hoosiers - the front office has some critical decisions to make beyond just the rookie signal-caller.
General Manager John Spytek, who’s no stranger to the highs and lows of roster management, made it clear: keeping talent in-house is a priority. “We don’t want to let good players leave our building,” he said. “That’s happened around here… and it’s one of the things I learned - you’ve got to keep our good players here.”
With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at three of the Raiders’ most significant free agents, and what their futures in silver and black might look like.
Eric Stokes, CB - A Steady Presence in a Shaky Secondary
Eric Stokes may not have made All-Pro headlines, but for a Raiders secondary that struggled at times, he was a bright spot. The 2025 season marked a career milestone for Stokes, who started all 16 games - a first for him - and delivered a quietly effective campaign.
Opposing quarterbacks completed just 56.7% of their passes when targeting Stokes, totaling 329 yards and only one touchdown. That’s not lockdown corner territory, but it’s solid, especially considering the instability around him. He also held QBs to a passer rating of 77.7 - a number that speaks to his ability to limit big plays and keep receivers in check.
Add in five pass deflections, 53 tackles (three for loss), and you’ve got a corner who didn’t just survive in a tough situation - he held his own. For a team looking to build a defense that can actually close out games, bringing back Stokes feels like a no-brainer. He’s not a star, but he’s the kind of reliable starter you need to win consistently.
Devin White, LB - High Volume, High Variance
Devin White is one of the more polarizing names on this list. Brought in on the recommendation of Spytek - who originally drafted him back in 2019 with Tampa Bay - White gave the Raiders a little bit of everything in 2025. He racked up a franchise-record 174 tackles, including 11 for loss, and added 2.5 sacks, an interception, three pass breakups, and a forced fumble.
That’s the good.
The flip side? He struggled in coverage.
Opposing quarterbacks completed 70 of 91 passes when targeting him - that’s a 76.9% clip - for 475 yards and three touchdowns. They posted a 94.3 passer rating in those matchups, which is far from ideal for a modern linebacker expected to hold up in space.
Still, White’s motor, leadership, and ability to make plays behind the line of scrimmage can’t be overlooked. He’s a tone-setter, and in the right scheme with the right support, his flaws can be masked. If the Raiders can bring him back on a deal that reflects both his production and his limitations, it’s a move worth making.
Daniel Carlson, K - A Down Year, But Still Worth a Look
Daniel Carlson’s 2025 season didn’t live up to his usual standard. He hit 22 of 27 field goal attempts - an 81.5% success rate that marks the third-lowest of his career.
For most kickers, that might be enough to start packing bags. But context matters.
The Raiders’ special teams unit was in flux all season, capped by a midseason firing of the coordinator. That kind of instability can impact even the most consistent specialists. Carlson has been a steady presence for years, and while competition should absolutely be brought into camp, cutting ties now might be premature.
If he rebounds in a more stable environment, Carlson could easily reassert himself as one of the league’s more dependable legs. But make no mistake - the leash will be short.
What’s Next?
The Raiders have already started shaping the roster with 12 reserve/future signings - a routine step for teams this time of year. But the real work lies in keeping core contributors who can help usher in a new era, especially with a young quarterback like Mendoza likely to take the reins.
Spytek knows the cost of letting good players walk. Now comes the challenge of proving he’s learned from it. Whether it’s Stokes’ consistency, White’s high-ceiling playmaking, or Carlson’s potential bounce-back, the Raiders have decisions to make that could shape their trajectory well beyond 2026.