Raiders' Team Needs to Fill in 2022 NFL Free Agency

The Las Vegas Raiders are in good shape for the upcoming free agency.

Josh McDaniels is the head coach of Las Vegas. It has a quarterback who can take the team to the playoffs. With the 22nd overall pick in the April draft, the Raiders have a projected $19.8 million in available cap space.

Las Vegas has some needs to address. The Raiders need to upgrade their run defense, have some impending free agents who need to be re-signed or replaced, and have another playmaking receiver.

Notable players going to market are backup quarterback Marcus Mariota, LB K.J. Wright and defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins.

The Raiders cannot fill every need in the draft, so we will look at three positions that should be filled via free agency.

If the Raiders are going to spend a lot of money, it should be on the corner. Las Vegas was a 13th against the pass in 2021, but it was dead last in the category with six picks. There are a couple of premier playmaking corners available.

J.C. Jackson is one of those players. He's from the New England Patriots, just like the general manager and the coach.

Jackson is not expected to receive the franchise tag from New England. The chances of him getting the tag were called low by Mike Reiss.

Carlton Davis, Donte Jackson and others are expected to hit the open market. If the Raiders can improve their turnover rate by signing one of them, it would make sense.

Las Vegas wants to do more than just make the playoffs. It is looking to make a run. It would be a big asset in the playoffs if the secondary had more playmaking ability.

Despite only two starts, Wright finished with 51 tackles, and re-signing him would be a logical move. Las Vegas should look to add veteran talent to its linebacker corps.

The Raiders ranked in the middle of the pack in rushing yards allowed and rushing touchdown allowed.

If Las Vegas is willing to spend on its secondary, a budget linebacker like Anthony Walker Jr. would make sense. The Cleveland Browns run-stopper made more than 100 tackles, 69 solo stops and two passes defended. Walker is expected to earn just $4 million annually, with Pro Football Focus projecting him to be available at a low price point.

If the Raiders were willing to spend a bit more at the LB position, it would make sense. PFF expects him to make $7.5 million annually.

Las Vegas needs to take advantage of the free agency linebacker options it will have. Three off-ball linebackers are ranked inside the top 32 prospects on the latest Bleacher Report Scouting Department big board.

Can the Raiders look to develop a quarterback? Absolutely. They should look to fill more immediate needs early in the draft and should find a backup quarterback in free agency.

Having a seasoned quarterback as an understudy is valuable for any team. If Carr is forced to miss time, Las Vegas could be out of the playoffs.

It makes sense that he be re-signed, as he has been with the Raiders for two years. Other quarterbacks include Tyrod Taylor, Mitchell Trubisky.

During his first season with the Pats, Brissett was a member of the team.

It would be beneficial for the Raiders to add some starting experience behind Carr. That shouldn't be an expensive challenge. According to Pro Football Focus, Brissett is projected to earn a deal worth $6 million annually.

Spotrac has cap and contract information. Unless otherwise stated, advanced statistics from Pro Football Reference.