The Las Vegas Raiders are heading into a season with a lot of moving parts, and not all of them are on the field. Yes, there’s a new head coach in place after winning a Super Bowl as an offensive coordinator, and yes, there are young offensive pieces worth watching. But there’s another layer to this year: several players are auditioning for their next deal.
That makes the season especially important for a few Raiders who are set to hit free agency and need strong years to boost their value. Three names stand out: tight end Michael Mayer, receiver Tre Tucker, and defensive end Adam Butler.
Mayer is the most intriguing of the group. The former second-round pick hasn’t lived up to the expectations that came with the Raiders trading up for him three years ago, but the reasons are pretty clear. He’s dealt with personal issues and injuries, and he’s also had to navigate multiple coaching changes, which never really let him settle into one offensive system.
Even so, the talent is still there. Klint Kubiak’s offense, which uses multiple tight ends, could be exactly what gets Mayer going.
Tight end has become a major position across the league, and the Raiders could decide to move on and find his replacement elsewhere if he breaks out. If he puts together a strong season, a deal in the three-year, $24 million range would make sense.
Tucker is in a different spot, but the stakes are just as real. He has grown into a key part of the passing game since Davante Adams was traded in 2024 and Jakobi Meyers was dealt last season. Heading into 2026, he would be the most experienced returning receiver on the roster, especially after the Raiders added more young talent around him.
His speed and ability to stretch the field made him one of the more underrated receivers in the league last season. Still, the Raiders also signed Jalen Nailor and used two of their 2025 NFL Draft picks on receivers, so Tucker may end up being the odd man out. If the team does decide to keep him, a contract around three years and $30 million is the number that fits.
Then there’s Booker, who came in as a solid depth piece after a trade last offseason and now finds himself in a contract year. He turned in a career-best season in 2025, finishing with 44 tackles, one for loss, seven quarterback hits, a forced fumble, and five passes defended. He also played in all 17 games and made 13 starts.
Booker could have a real chance to win a starting defensive end job in the Raiders’ new 3-4 base defense. If he produces again in that role, the team may be willing to keep him on a reasonable deal. A two-year contract worth $15 million is the kind of number that fits his situation.
In Other News...
Raiders Make Another Roster Shakeup As Depth Questions Keep Growing
The Raiders kept churning the bottom of the roster after another round of workouts, bringing in three veterans to add some insulation at a few spots where depth has been under the microscope. The group includes a defensive end, a linebacker and a wide receiver, each with multiple seasons of NFL experience, as Las Vegas continues sorting through options before the next phase of camp.
To make room, the Raiders waived wide receiver Jonathan Brady, linebacker Chris Thomas and defensive tackle Laki Tasi, another reminder that the back end of the roster is far from settled. The team had eight free agents in for workouts, and the process underscored how many moving parts remain as Las Vegas keeps looking for answers on both sides of the ball. [Read more 🡒]
Raiders Face A Very Al Davis Decision John Spytek May Hate
The Raiders still have a clear need in the middle of their defensive line, and the temptation to solve it with a proven veteran is exactly the kind of roster call that can test a new regime. Under general manager John Spytek, Las Vegas is trying to build with an eye on the future, which makes any move involving a pricey, older nose tackle feel like a fork in the road rather than a simple upgrade.
The appeal is obvious for a team that wants immediate help against the run, but the timing is tricky. The player in question is 31 and entering the final season of his deal, with a salary that sits high enough to matter in a rebuilding plan, and the Raiders would likely have to part with draft capital they could use elsewhere. For a front office trying to balance patience with the urge to fix a glaring hole, this is the kind of decision that can define how committed it really is to the long game. [Read more 🡒]
Raiders Camp Could Decide More Than Fans Realize At Right Guard
Training camp is bringing an early test for the Raiders at right guard, where the spot is expected to be one of the more competitive jobs on the roster. Jackson Powers-Johnson enters the summer with a clear chance to hold onto the role, but the team also has Trey Zuhn and Caleb Rogers in the mix, and both could factor into the picture at left guard as well.
Powers-Johnson has already tried to make his case by showing up early with the rookies, a small but telling sign of how seriously he is taking the challenge. For Las Vegas, the bigger question is whether that kind of commitment translates into a cleaner, steadier camp once the pads come on and the competition starts to sharpen. [Read more 🡒]