The Las Vegas Raiders\u2019 Day 1 splurge in free agency began to get the all-important official posts for the organization\u2019s social media channels on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
The NFL\u2019s first league year began that day and all eyes are going to set on the Raiders confirming all the free agent signings<\/a> and trades<\/a> (the big nixed one included<\/a>) as general manager John Spytek bolsters its roster for Klint Kubiak\u2019s initial run as a head coach.<\/p>\n The first move the team announced was free agent kicker Matt Gay\u2019s addition, quickly followed by in-house free agent defensive end Malcolm Koonce re-signing and confirmation of the trade with the Buffalo Bills for cornerback Taron Johnson. Behind those was the official trade of quarterback Geno Smith to the New York Jets. And, Wednesday evening, Las Vegas announced its signed free agent linebacker Nakobe Dean \u2014 one of the big fish the team reeled in when the legal tampering period opened Monday.<\/p>\n And on Thursday morning, the Raiders announced another big catch: Center Tyler Linderbaum<\/a>, who signed a record-setting deal and comes from the Baltimore Ravens. That was followed by confirmation free agent wide receiver and Nevada native Jalen Nailor<\/a> is now a Raider, too. And the other two additions \u2014 linebacker Quay Walker<\/a> and edge rusher Kwity Paye <\/a>were confirmed, as well.<\/p>\n Spytek did well to land key talent during Wave 1 of free agency to give Kubiak and his coaching staff the requisite impact players to make a go of things this coming season. But, as we all know, the Silver & Black\u2019s laundry list of needs<\/a> remains a long one, even with key free agency acquisitions.<\/p>\n From offensive and defensive line, to the secondary, special teams, and quarterback and running back, Spytek and his personnel room still has sleeves rolled up and building a roster that puts Kubiak and his staff in the best possible position to succeed.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s explore where the free agency adds didn\u2019t move the needle:<\/p>\n There\u2019s a reunion in that room with special teams coordinator Joe DeCamillis linking up with Gay. That pairing were excellent with the Los Angeles Rams in 2021 and 2022 \u2014 Gay went 60-of-64 on field goals made and attempted with a solid 93.8 field goal percentage.<\/p>\n This maneuver looks wholly like recapturing the magic from those two seasons as Gay struggled since those two seasons as he finished with field goal percentages of 80.5, 83.8, 73.9 percent the following three seasons including going 17-of-23 with the San Francisco 49ers and Washington Commanders in 2025.<\/p>\n A survey we did on whether Raider Nation would rather have Daniel Carlson or Gay at place kicker provided not-surprising results<\/a>. The former boot specialist was the overwhelming choice. But adding Gay in free agency shouldn\u2019t be the end of it.<\/p>\n With 11 picks in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft, Las Vegas would be wise to add youth to the kicker spot in the form of a late-round prospect \u2014 some of which I explored in a piece<\/a> last week. If not during the seven rounds, an undrafted free agent for healthy competition as the Raiders gear up for the 2026 campaign.<\/p>\n