Raiders struggle to address roster gaps in free agency

So much for having all that cap space.

The Las Vegas Raiders had an opportunity to cash in on top free agents to improve the roster, but instead the Raiders lost defensive starters in CB Nate Hobbs, S Tre'von Moehrig, LBs Divine Deablo and Robert Spillane. A big chunk of the starting defensive roster is now gone, along with significant productivity that could have been useful to new head coach Pete Carroll.

Spillane and Moehrig are the biggest losses. Both had a big season for the Raiders, combining for 262 tackles.

The Raiders, however, found replacements by reportedly agreeing to lesser deals with S Jeremy Chinn, LB Elandon Roberts, S Lonnie Johnson and CB Eric Stokes, but these moves don't move needle in regards to the Raiders' competitiveness in the AFC West.

At least general manager John Spytek brought back DT Adam Butler, who had five sacks in a depleted interior line, and DE Malcolm Koonce (who missed all of the 2024 season because of a knee injury) to help out star pass-rusher Maxx Crosby. Bringing Koonce back is a big boost because he had recorded a career-high eight sacks in 2023. Now rejuvenated, Koonce said in a news conference Tuesday he is ready to play for Carroll.

The Raiders started free agency with $96 million in cap space, according to Over the Cap. Now, they have $41 million and are still thin in other areas including running back, wide receiver and cornerback amid their underwhelming start to the offseason.

Perhaps Spytek and Carroll have a plan, but so far the Raiders haven't done anything to improve the roster that will give their fanbase hope.