Best, worst offseason moves for Las Vegas Raiders

Kansas City hosts the 2023 NFL Draft from April 27-29. The Raiders have had an eventful offseason due to roster turnover and blockbuster free-agent signings. However, not all changes are for the better. Here are their best and worst offseason moves.

 Best | Using the franchise tag on running back Josh Jacobs

Aside from elite WR Davante Adams, Jacobs was Las Vegas' best offensive playmaker last season. The fourth-year RB led the NFL in rushing yards, running for a career-high 1,653 yards in 17 games. It was his third season where he rushed for 1,000 yards or more.

Therefore, keeping the 25-year-old was necessary, but Las Vegas ensured it was at the right price. It used the franchise tag, a one-year, $10.1M deal, which is smart because long-term contracts for RBs tend to backfire. So the Raiders secured a player entering his prime and motivated the Pro Bowler to play for a payday next season.

Best | Signing wide receiver Jakobi Meyers

Meyers was one of the top choices among free-agent WRs after he had a career-high six receiving TDs in 14 games last season. Yet the Raiders signed him to a three-year, $33M deal, a bargain because Meyers' market value was a four-year, $50M deal, according to Spotrac.

The 26-year-old WR complements Adams and Hunter Renfrow since he can line up in the slot or on the outside, giving the Raiders three WRs who can attack defenses. Also, he fits the system of Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels. In 2021, Meyers tallied a career-high 83 receptions while McDaniels served as New England offensive coordinator.  

Worst | Trading tight end Darren Waller

Las Vegas trading Waller to New York was a nonsensical move. Even though he missed eight games with a hamstring injury, he remained productive with a career-high 13.9 yards per reception. The former Pro Bowler is one of the most dynamic TEs in the league. Since 2019 he's ranked third (280) in receptions and receiving yards (3,394) among TEs.

 The Raiders' compensation didn't match the value for a player of Waller's caliber. They only received a 2023 third-round pick (No. 100 overall). Las Vegas should've haggled for more because one draft pick is not enough for a player that leaves a gaping hole in its roster after his departure.   

Worst | Letting linebacker Denzel Perryman walk in free agency 

The Raiders letting Perryman walk, who signed a one-year deal with Houston, was puzzling. The 30-year-old LB was finishing his best two-year career stretch in Las Vegas. In 2021, he made the Pro Bowl, recording a career-high 154 tackles in 15 games, sixth in the NFL. Last season, he had 14 tackles for a loss in 12 games, tied for 13th in the league.

The Raiders can't afford to lose an excellent defensive player because the unit lacked depth and was one of the league's worst last season. They ranked 26th in points and 28th in yards allowed. As a result, Las Vegas might have to find a replacement in the draft, which is problematic since Pro Bowl-level LBs come at a premium.