NFL free agency is off and running, and we’re keeping track of every major signing, trade and release of the 2026 offseason, with analysis from our NFL nation reporters and grades from our experts.
The new league year begins Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET, which means free agents can be made official after that. The first round of the 2026 NFL draft begins April 23 on ESPN.
The Raiders kicked things off with a trade on March 8, acquiring Taron Johnson from the Buffalo Bills. Las Vegas sent a sixth-round pick to Buffalo and received a seventh-round pick in return.
Here’s a breakdown of every 2026 NFL free agent signing by the Las Vegas Raiders and how each will impact the upcoming season:
Linderbaum reached agreement Monday on a record deal with the Raiders, who are awarding him with a three-year, $81 million deal that includes $60 million guaranteed.
What it means: The Raiders used the most cap space in the league to acquire one of the top free agents. It’s a big price to pay for the Raiders, but a necessary one. With potential top pick Fernando Mendoza on the way, Las Vegas had to fortify its offensive line after it was one of the worst in the league last season. Since entering the league in 2022, Linderbaum has a pass block win rate of 96.2%.
The move also solidified Jackson Powers-Johnson role as the team’s starting right guard. Coach Klint Kubiak said at the scouting combine that Powers-Johnson role was to be determined. With the Raiders holding on to the No. 14 overall pick, which they gained after the Maxx Crosby trade, they could use it on Penn State guard Olaivavega Ioane to build out their starting offensive line for 2026.
Dean agreed to a three-year deal with Las Vegas.
What it means: Dean has battled injuries throughout his NFL career. But when healthy, he’s effective. In 47 games with 27 starts for the Philadelphia Eagles, Dean collected 226 tackles, 7.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and 19 tackles for loss.
He’s effective in coverage, which was a struggle for the Raiders’ linebacker room in 2025. Dean was targeted 27 times, allowing 16 catches for 193 yards and a passer rating of 81.3. In addition to helping out in coverage, Dean should improve the Raiders’ pass rush. He had a 11 pressures and a pressure rate of 40.7%.
The Raiders signed Walker to a three-year, $40.5 million deal that includes $28 million guaranteed.
What it means: Linebacker was among the biggest need on the roster, and the Raiders filled the void in a matter of minutes by reuniting Nakobe Dean with his former Georgia teammate, Walker.
Walker, the 22nd overall pick by the Packers in the 2022 draft, had a career-high 128 tackles last season. He became the second Packers player since 1975 to record at least 100 tackles in each of his first four NFL seasons. Last season, the Raiders had an major issue with missed tackles. Walker comes to Las Vegas with a missed tackle rate of 4.5%.
Koonce agreed to return to Las Vegas on a one-year, $11 million contract.
What it means: Koonce returning to Las Vegas should come at no surprise. He has a relationship with defensive coordinator Rob Leonard and fits what the Raiders are trying to do in their 3-4 base.
Koonce will also be more than a year removed from his season-ending knee injury in 2024. He showed flashes of the player who totaled eight sacks in 2023. In 17 games, he recorded 30 tackles, 4.5 sacks and 38 pressures — second most on the team behind Maxx Crosby. Koonce will be a solid depth player in Las Vegas’ edge rusher rotation.
Paye reached agreement on a three-year, $48 million deal that includes $32 million guaranteed with the Raiders.
What it means: With Boye Mafe and Odafe Oweh off the market, the Raiders turned their attention to Paye, who totaled 30.5 sacks in five seasons with the Colts. Last season was a down year for Paye. He totaled four sacks — his lowest total in a season since his rookie campaign in 2021. Paye has recorded at least eight sacks in a season twice.
Las Vegas will need to add another pass rusher to play on the other side of Paye.
Stokes is returning to Las Vegas on a three-year deal worth $30 million with $20 million guaranteed, sources told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler on March 9.
What it means: The Raiders locking up Stokes to kick off free agency doesn’t come as a surprise. Both sides had strong interest in a reunion after Stokes had one of the best seasons in his career, following a injury-plagued stint with the Packers.
In 16 starts last season, Stokes totaled 53 tackles and five pass breakups. Stokes was targeted 55 times, allowing 338 receiving yards and a pair of touchdowns. Outside of his on field production, Stokes was a respected player amongst his teammates.
Raiders have agreed to terms with Nailor on a three-year, $35 million deal including $23 million guaranteed.
What it means: This is an under-the-radar signing for Las Vegas, but a solid one nonetheless. Over the past two seasons, Nailor has totaled 57 catches for 858 yards and 10 touchdowns. He had a career-high 15.3 yards per reception in 2025. This signing shouldn’t prevent the Raiders from adding to the wide receiver room, whether in free agency or the draft.
