Raiders’ free agency tracker: Las Vegas adds former 49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo
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Follow along as The Bee tracks the Las Vegas Raiders’ every move during the 2023 NFL free agency period
The Bee previously looked at potential Raiders targets on offense and defense.
Entering free agency, the Raiders had $42 million in cap space after the team franchise tagged running back Josh Jacobs. Prior to free agency, the Raiders re-signed offensive tackle Brandon Parker, tight end Jesper Horsted, running back Ameer Abdullah and guard Netane Muti.
The Raiders also brought back fullback Jakob Johnson and right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor.
The negotiation period began at 9 a.m. PDT Monday and ends at 12:59 p.m. Wednesday. Teams are permitted to contact and enter into contract negotiations with certified agents of players who are unrestricted free agents upon the expiration of their 2022 contracts at 1 p.m. PDT Wednesday. Teams cannot sigh a player until 1 p.m. Wednesday PDT.
The Raiders began the period in the market for a new quarterback after Derek Carr was released in February.
One of the free agent QBs to watch was Jimmy Garoppolo, who spent several seasons with the San Francisco 49ers but has ties to the current Raiders staff and front office.
12:15 March 24: Raiders sign defensive tackle
John Jenkins signed with the Raiders.
He spent the past two seasons with the Miami Dolphins, totaling 36 tackles and one quarterback hit.
He was selected in the third round by the New Orleans Saints in the 2013 NFL draft.
1:15 p.m. March 22: Austin Hooper reach deal with Raiders
Tight end Austin Hooper is signing a one-year deal with the Raiders.
He’s the second tight end the Raiders signed following the Darren Waller trade to the New York Giants.
Hooper joins O.J. Howard as the new Raiders tight ends.
11 a.m. March 22: Denzel Perryman to Houston
Pro Bowl linebacker Denzel Perryman will sign a one-year deal with the Houston Texas.
Perryman played for the Raiders the past two seasons and made the Pro Bowl in 2021.
6 a.m. March 22: Cornerback signs with Raiders
Former Los Angeles Rams cornerback David Long Jr. signed a one-year deal with the Raiders.
In 2022, Long played in 12 games with four starts and recorded a career-high 21 tackles and appeared in six career postseason games with one start and posted 12 tackles (11), one interception returned for a touchdown, and one pass defensed.
He was a third round selection in the 2019 NFL draft by the Los Angeles Rams. Long spent his first four years with the Rams and has appeared in 52 games with 10 starts, totaling 75 tackles (66 solo), one interception and seven passes defensed.
Last week, the Raiders signed cornerback Brandon Facyson, who played for the Raiders in 2021.
2:30 p.m. March 20: Keelan Cole to return
The Raiders are re-signing wide receiver Keelan Cole.
Cole appeared in 14 games for the Raiders and had a touchdown.
12:20 p.m. March 20: Raiders sign DL
The Raiders signed defensive lineman Jordan Willis, who played for the 49ers last season.
For his career, he played in 69 games and has 91 tackles, 10.5 sacks, 15 tackle for loss, one pass defensed, three fumble recoveries and three FF. Willis was drafted in the third round of the 2017 NFL draft.
1 p.m. March 19: Mack Hollins to Atlanta
Wide receiver Mack Hollins signed with the Atlanta Falcons.
Hollins was a special teams ace for the Raiders, and also a captain. He finished the 2022 season with four touchdowns.
12 p.m. March 20: Raiders to sign TE and S
The Raiders are set to sign former Bills safety Jaquan Johnson and tight end Texans tight end OJ Howard.
Johnson adds depth to the safety position while Howard looks to fill the role left behind Darren Waller, who was traded to the New York Giants.
The Raiders made the Howard signing official.
5 p.m. Friday: Raiders to sign long snapper
The Raiders signed long snapper Jacob Bobemoyer.
He played for the Broncos the past three seasons and appeared in 46 games.
The Raiders released LS Trent Sieg, who later signed with the Dallas Cowboys.
3:10 p.m. Wednesday: Raiders re-sign Jerry Tillery
The Raiders re-signed defensive tackle Jerry Tillery, whom they picked up in the middle of the 2022 NFL season.
He started four games and played in eight for the Raiders. He had 10 tackles and two quarterback hits.
12:10 p.m. Wednesday: Clelin Ferrell headed to the 49ers
Clelin Ferrell agreed to terms with the San Francisco 49ers.
He was the Raiders’ fourth overall draft pick of the 2019 NFL draft.
In four seasons with the Raiders he had 105 tackles, 10 sacks, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.
3:11 p.m. Tuesday: First LB in free agency for the Raiders
The Raiders reportedly agreed to terms with linebacker Robert Spillane, who previously played for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
He played in 16 games last season and started five. Spillane finished the season with 79 tackles, four tackles for loss, two quarterback hits and four pass deflections.
He had an interception return for a touchdown in 2020.
The deal is for two years worth over $9 million over $4 million guaranteed, according to Doug Kyed of AtoZSports.
Analysis: Not the biggest of signing for the Raiders, but there is still a need at the linebacker position. At least the Raiders went defense this time around after focusing some of their signings on offense.
2:15 p.m. Tuesday: Raiders to add WR Philip Dorsett
WR Philip Dorsett reportedly reached an agreement to sign with the Raiders.
He last played for the Houston Texans after making stops with the Indianapolis Colts, Seattle Seahawks, Jacksonville Jaguars and New England Patriots.
Dorsett won a Super Bowl with New England in 2018.
For his career, he has 2,001 yards and 12 touchdowns.
He was a first-round pick of the Colts in the 2015 NFL draft. Dorsett picked the Raiders over the Patriots.
Analysis: The Raiders added another wide receiver on Tuesday after agreeing to terms with Jakobi Meyers earlier. The Raiders’ wide receivers now consist of Davante Adams, Hunter Renfrow, Meyers, Dorsett, Tyler Johnson and Chris Lacy. Adding another wide receiver seems to be over in free agency as the the Raiders still need to address the offensive line and defense. Most of that will come in the draft, but the glaring spot is linebacker, interior line and cornerback that must be addressed in free agency. Though, the Raiders did reportedly brought back CB Brandon Facyson.
11:30 a.m. Tuesday: Raiders trade Waller to Giants
Darren Waller is headed to the New York Giants.
The Giants acquired Waller and sent the Raiders a third-round pick (No. 100) in the third round of the NFL draft.
The move leaves the Raiders with two tight ends in Jesper Horsted and Cole Fotheringham. Foster Moreau is an unrestricted free agent.
7 a.m. Tuesday: Raiders to sign WR Jakobi Meyers
The Raiders agreed to a three-year deal with Jakobi Meyers, formerly of the New England Patriots.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the deal is worth $33 million, with $21 million guaranteed.
Meyers told CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson in a text “it’s hard to turn down Las Vegas. When you look at their offense, when you look at their coaches. They wanted me, I wanted them. Unfortunately it didn’t work out with the Patriots. I put a lot of effort in my time there. I appreciate them, but God works in mysterious ways. I’m blessed.”
Analysis: Adding another weapon for Garoppolo is always a good thing, especially when the Raiders needed to add a wide receiver in the mix in since it was just starters Davante Adams and Hunter Renfrow. Meyers finished last season with 804 receiving yards and six touchdowns. Meyers will be always remembered when he took a lateral and intended to throw the ball to Mac Jones before it was taken away by Chandler Jones, who scored the game-winning touchdown. The Bee mentioned in the free agent targets why Meyers makes the best sense, since he knows head coach Josh McDaniels’ system. Now the Raiders have to go after an offensive linemen, along with fixing the defense that still has plenty of holes.
3:05 p.m. Monday: Raiders snag S Marcus Epps
In an area where the Raiders needed help the most, Las Vegas agree to a deal with safety Marcus Epps, formerly of the Philadelphia Eagles.
Epps, 27 is reported to sign a deal worth $12 million over two years with nearly $8 million guaranteed, according to Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network.
He play in 17 games last season and recorded 90 tackles and four tackles for a loss. He has three interceptions for his five-year career.
Analysis: The Raiders had to address defense, and they go with a safety to help with Tre’von Moehrig. This was a decent target for the Raiders, who felt Epps brings in leadership. However, the Raiders need to add more on defense in free agency when there is some good players left out there..
11 a.m. Monday: Garoppolo agrees to deal with Raiders
The Raiders found their new starting quarterback in Garoppolo.
Garoppolo agreed to a three-year, $67.5 million contract ($34 million guaranteed), according to ESPN.
Garoppolo reunites with Josh McDaniels, whom he played for in New England from 2014-2016.
He spent the past six seasons with the 49ers, for whom he completed 1,104 of 1,632 passes for 13,599 yards with 82 touchdowns against 42 touchdowns.
Garoppolo is 40-17 as the starter.
Analysis: This move means the Raiders could begin the 2023 NFL draft by looking first to improve the defense, which they need to beef up anyway since it’s been a long-term problem. There are plenty of holes. The Raiders have 11 draft picks and selecting a quarterback in the middle rounds to learn behind Garoppolo would be ideal.
9:30 a.m. Monday: Jarrett Stidham off to the Broncos
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Raiders free-agent QB Jarrett Stidham plans to sign a two-year deal worth $10 million with the Denver Broncos.
Stidham started the last two games for the Raiders in the 2022 NFL season after the team benched Carr.
He completed 53 of 83 for 656 yards and four touchdowns against three interceptions.
Analysis: Stidham heading to Denver put Garoppolo firmly in the Raiders’ plans. Other teams, however, were in the market for the ex-49er. The Raiders need a veteran quarterback to help whichever rookie they choose as a longer-term option. It was reported Garoppolo is also interested in the Raiders. The only quarterback the Raiders have on the roster is Chase Garbers. It’s possible the Raiders could end up signing two free-agent QBs.
This story will be updated
This story was originally published March 13, 2023 at 10:11 AM.
