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Ian Thomas Ian Thomas Lands in Las Vegas
Tue, Mar 25, 2025, 12:03 PM
The Raiders signed Thomas (calf) to a contract Tuesday.
Analysis: Thomas spent the first seven seasons of his NFL career in Carolina, and he now bolsters a Raiders tight end corps led by 2024 rookie phenom Brock Bowers and trade candidate Michael Mayer. Thomas is capable of contributing in a depth role as both a blocker and pass catcher, so his presence could make it easier for the team to move on from Mayer. He appeared in five games (two starts) with the Panthers in 2024 before landing on IR with a calf injury, but Thomas figures to be ready to go for the start of offseason activities. |
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Aidan O'Connell Aidan O'Connell Stuck in backup role again
Thu, Mar 13, 2025, 1:52 PM
The Raiders recently traded for Geno Smith, leaving O'Connell as the likely No. 2 quarterback for 2025.
Analysis: O'Connell got a chance to compete for the starting job last summer, losing out to Gardner Minshew (collarbone) but then taking over mid-season. Minshew ended up taking the job back after O'Connell suffered a thumb fracture, with things later swinging back to the latter after the former broke his collarbone. The team released Minshew on Wednesday, leaving O'Connell in the clear for the second spot on the depth chart, albeit presumably without any chance to push Smith for the starting role. |
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Raheem Mostert Raheem Mostert Links up with Las Vegas
Thu, Mar 13, 2025, 12:30 PM
Mostert is signing a one-year contract with the Raiders, Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports reports.
Analysis: The soon-to-be 33-year-old will join a new-look Vegas offense with Geno Smith at quarterback and Chip Kelly calling plays. It's about the best landing spot possible in terms of opportunity to earn snaps and touches, as the Raiders had arguably the worst backfield in the league last year and haven't signed any other free agents so far this offseason. Of course, more help likely is on the way, be it in the coming weeks via free agency or at the end of April during the NFL Draft. Mostert and Kelly briefly worked together in Philadelphia (2015) and San Francisco (2016), but at a point in Mostert's career when he was struggling to stick around the league and mostly playing special teams. |
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Geno Smith Geno Smith Moving to Vegas
Fri, Mar 7, 2025, 6:08 PM
The Seahawks traded Smith (hip) to the Raiders on Friday for a 2025 third-round pick, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: There had been rumblings that Smith was on the trade block like WR DK Metcalf, but the signal-caller now has reunited with coach Pete Carroll in Las Vegas after spending the 2020 through 2023 seasons together in Seattle. As the regular starter for the Seahawks the last three campaigns, Smith notched a 27-22 record, completed 68.5 percent of his passes, averaged 249.5 yards per game and compiled 71 touchdown passes versus 35 interceptions. He also tacked on 703 yards and four more TDs on 158 carries during that span. With the Raiders, Smith will be operating with top-notch second-year TE Brock Bowers, but the much of the rest of the receiving corps is a work in progress. |
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Gardner Minshew Gardner Minshew Headed for release
Wed, Mar 5, 2025, 9:40 AM
The Raiders plan to release Minshew (collarbone) when the new league year begins next Wednesday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: Minshew is entering the final season of a two-year contract, following a 2024 campaign that ended early when he suffered a broken collarbone Nov. 24. He should be recovered from the injury in time for offseason activities, but there's no guarantee of him getting another shot to compete for a starting job, as he may have to settle for a backup role this time around. Over his 10 appearances for Las Vegas this past season, Minshew completed 203 of 306 pass attempts (66.3 percent) for 2,013 yards, nine touchdowns and 10 interceptions while adding 58 yards on 19 carries. |
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DJ Turner DJ Turner Won't receive tender
Mon, Mar 3, 2025, 3:38 PM
The Raiders decided to not tender Turner (knee) on Monday, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Turner missed Las Vegas' final five games of the 2024 season due to a knee injury that landed him on injured reserve. However, he was fairly productive when on the field, catching 16 of his 29 targets for 158 yards and one touchdown. The Pittsburgh product also added five carries for 33 yards and one touchdown on the ground last season, playing 162 offensive snaps across 12 appearances. Fowler reported that the Raiders are open to bringing Turner back to Las Vegas, but only at a price lower than the tender. |
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Michael Mayer Michael Mayer Available for trade
Fri, Feb 28, 2025, 5:18 PM
The Raiders are shopping Mayer on the trade market, Tashan Reed of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Following a decorated college career at Notre Dame, Mayer was selected No. 35 overall in the 2023 Draft by Las Vegas. He caught 27 passes for 304 yards and two touchdowns as a rookie, but the Raiders then used their first-rounder on Brock Bowers in 2024. Mayer appeared in just 11 games last season, and his playing time took a hit when he was available. He finished the season with 21 catches for 156 scoreless yards, and the Raiders appear to be willing to move him after just two years. |
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Kyle Philips Kyle Philips Gets opportunity with Las Vegas
Tue, Feb 18, 2025, 6:44 PM
The Raiders signed Philips to a contract Tuesday.
Analysis: Philips spent all of the 2024 campaign on the Eagles' practice squad, failing to get into a game all season for the first time since he was selected by Tennessee in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. The 5-foot-11 wideout has played in 13 regular-season contests, compiling 23 receptions on 35 targets for 259 yards and no touchdowns while also doing some work as a kick and punt returner. Notably, Philips' move to Las Vegas will reunite him with offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, who served as UCLA's head coach during the four seasons Philips played for the school. |
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DJ Turner DJ Turner To be restricted free agent
Tue, Feb 18, 2025, 1:46 PM
Turner (knee) secured 16 of 29 targets for 158 yards and one touchdown across 12 regular-season games with the Raiders in 2024. He also rushed for 33 yards and one touchdown on five carries and compiled 106 kick return yards and 77 punt return yards.
Analysis: Turner produced career-best numbers before landing on IR in early December due to a Week 13 knee injury. The 28-year-old is slated to be a restricted free agent this offseason, meaning he'll be allowed to negotiate with other teams, but Las Vegas will retain the right to match any offer he might receive. |
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Ramel Keyton Ramel Keyton Makes one catch in eight games
Tue, Feb 18, 2025, 12:18 PM
Keyton secured one of three targets for seven yards across eight regular-season appearances with the Raiders in 2024.
Analysis: Keyton managed to push for reserve snaps on Las Vegas' active roster as a rookie, a notable accomplishment after having gone undrafted out of Tennessee. He played 41 snaps on offense and 64 snaps on special teams. The 6-foot-2 wideout remains under contract with the Raiders in 2025, but depending on the team's offseason moves he could have an uphill battle to retain his spot on the depth chart. |
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Desmond Ridder Desmond Ridder Makes six appearances as reserve QB
Tue, Feb 18, 2025, 11:49 AM
Ridder completed 52 of 85 pass attempts for 458 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions across six regular-season appearances with the Raiders in 2024.
Analysis: Ridder only started one of his six appearances with Las Vegas, a Week 15 loss to the Falcons -- the team that drafted him -- in which both Gardner Minshew (collarbone) and Aidan O'Connell were unavailable due to injury. A 2022 third-round pick, Ridder has now logged a 14:14 TD:INT rate across the last two seasons, with ball security issues also remaining a consistent concern -- he has three fumbles (two lost) during his time with the Raiders. The 25-year-old is slated to become a restricted free agent this offseason, making it easy for Las Vegas to retain him as a reserve option at quarterback should the team choose to do so. |
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Alex Bachman Alex Bachman Staying in Las Vegas
Thu, Jan 23, 2025, 4:28 PM
The Raiders signed Bachman to a reserve/future contract Thursday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Analysis: Bachman bounced between the Raiders' practice squad and 53-man roster during the 2024 regular season. He ended up playing in six games and finished with three catches for 31 yards, all which came in Week 6 against the Steelers. Bachman will be on Las Vegas' 90-man roster when the new league year starts March 12, which will allow him to participate in OTAs, minicamp and training camp ahead of the 2025 campaign. |
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Harrison Bryant Harrison Bryant Catches nine total passes in 2024
Sat, Jan 11, 2025, 7:07 AM
Bryant played 11 offensive snaps but was not targeted in the Raiders' Week 18 loss to the Chargers.
Analysis: Bryant finishes his 2024 campaign with nine receptions for 86 yards on 12 targets across 13 games with the Raiders, primarily providing depth at tight end behind All-Pro rookie Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer. Bowers isn't going anywhere, while Bryant is slated to become an unrestricted free agent ahead of the 2025 season. |
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Terrace Marshall Terrace Marshall Finishes season with three catches
Sat, Jan 11, 2025, 7:02 AM
Marshall played 14 offensive snaps but was not targeted in the Raiders' Week 18 loss to the Chargers, closing out his 2024 campaign with three catches for 41 yards on six targets across seven games.
Analysis: Marshall was a late-October addition to the Raiders' practice squad before ultimately being activated for seven contests in the Silver & Black, providing depth at wide receiver following Davante Adams' departure to the Jets and DJ Turner's (knee) placement on injured reserve. Marshall is still only 24 years old, so the 2021 second-round pick will look to compete for a roster spot again in 2025, though it might not be in Las Vegas due to the upcoming arrival of a new head coach and general manager. |
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Dylan Laube Dylan Laube Underwhelming rookie campaign
Sat, Jan 11, 2025, 6:52 AM
Laube returned a kickoff for 19 yards, but he logged just one offensive snap in the Raiders' Week 18 loss to the Chargers.
Analysis: Laube concluded his 2024 campaign with just one carry for no gain and a lost fumble across 10 games, also returning six kickoffs for 164 yards. The sixth rounder's rookie season was especially disappointing when considering the litany of injuries suffered by his backfield mates, as each of Alexander Mattison, Zamir White (quadriceps), Ameer Abdullah (foot) and Sincere McCormick (ankle) missed time. Laube has three years remaining on his contract in Las Vegas, but neither playing time nor a roster spot are guaranteed in 2025 with the Raiders slated to hire a new head coach and general manager. |
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Chris Collier Chris Collier Two carries in season finale
Sat, Jan 11, 2025, 6:39 AM
Collier rushed twice for six yards in the Raiders' season finale, a 34-20 loss to the Chargers. He also caught one of two targets for a loss of four yards.
Analysis: Collier, who was waived by the Ravens in early November before landing in Las Vegas, finished his 2024 campaign with five carries for 12 yards across three games with the Silver & Black. The undrafted 24-year-old out of Lock Haven will face an uphill battle for a roster spot again in 2025, though Collier has proven capable of earning a special teams role. |
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Michael Mayer Michael Mayer No end zone trips in 2024
Wed, Jan 8, 2025, 9:06 AM
Mayer caught all four of his targets for 21 yards in Sunday's 34-20 loss to the Chargers.
Analysis: He concluded the 2024 season with 21 receptions for 156 yards on 32 targets across 11 games. Mayer appeared in the Raiders' final eight contests of the season after missing Weeks 4 through 9 due to personal reasons, and his return was highlighted by a seven-catch, 68-yard performance Week 14 at Tampa Bay. The 2023 second-rounder selection's fantasy ceiling was limited by the emergence of fellow tight end Brock Bowers, who set multiple rookie records en route to a 112-1,194-5 receiving line on 153 targets in 17 games. Mayer has two years remaining with the Raiders on his own rookie contract, but given Bowers' dominance and the fact that Las Vegas' current regime didn't draft Mayer, the Notre Dame product could be a valuable trade candidate this offseason. |
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Kristian Wilkerson Kristian Wilkerson Getting another opportunity
Mon, Jan 6, 2025, 4:13 PM
Wilkerson signed a reserve/future contract with the Raiders on Monday.
Analysis: Wilkerson has spent most of the last two seasons in Las Vegas, mainly on their practice squad. The 27-year-old appeared in three games for the Raiders last season though, making two catches on three targets for 18 yards and a touchdown. |
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Tyreik McAllister Tyreik McAllister Staying in Vegas
Mon, Jan 6, 2025, 4:10 PM
McAllister signed a reserve/future contract with the Raiders on Monday.
Analysis: McAllister finished the season on Las Vegas' practice squad, but he did appear in three games with the team during the 2024 campaign. The 26-year-old only played four snaps on offense, but did have two rushes for 11 yards and worked on special teams as a return man. |
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Brock Bowers Brock Bowers Concludes remarkable rookie season
Sun, Jan 5, 2025, 9:55 PM
Bowers recorded four receptions on nine targets for 50 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 34-20 loss to the Chargers.
Analysis: Bowers was unable to record his first catch until early in the third quarter, and the majority of his production came in garbage time on the Raiders' final offensive possession. Nevertheless, he managed to tally the fifth touchdown of his rookie season and reached at least 50 receiving yards for the fourth time in seven games since the Raiders' bye in Week 10. Bowers ends his incredible campaign with the most receptions by a rookie in NFL history (112) and the most yardage (1,194) by a rookie tight end in league history. |
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