Tag: Raiders

Aug 20, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; New Orleans Saints linebacker Jaylon Smith (59) during pregame warmups against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

Report: Raiders signing veteran LB Jaylon Smith

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Jaylon Smith, a former Pro Bowl linebacker who did not play in 2024, will sign with the Las Vegas Raiders, ESPN reported on Sunday.

Smith, 29, had a tryout over the weekend at the team’s rookie minicamp. He last played in the NFL with the Raiders in 2023, appearing in one game and making two tackles in 25 defensive snaps against the New York Giants in Week 9. He was released on Nov. 22, 2023, and later signed to the Pittsburgh Steelers’ practice squad before his contract expired in January 2024.

The Dallas Cowboys selected Smith in the second round (34th overall) in the 2016 NFL Draft out of Notre Dame. He was voted to the Pro Bowl in 2019, when he made 142 tackles, 2.5 sacks, six tackles for loss and nine passes defended in 16 games.

Smith has 626 career tackles, 11 sacks, 24 tackles for loss, 18 quarterback hits, two interceptions, six forced fumbles and six fumble recoveries in 88 regular-season games (69 starts) for the Cowboys (2017-21), Green Bay Packers (2021), New York Giants (2021-22) and Raiders (2023).

–Field Level Media

Apr 25, 2025; Henderson, NV, USA; Las Vegas Raiders first round draft pick in the 2025 NFL Draft Ashton Jeanty, speaks to the media at Intermountain Health Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-Imagn Images

Raiders sign RB Ashton Jeanty to reported $35.9M deal

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Las Vegas Raiders first-round draft pick Ashton Jeanty signed his four-year rookie contract.

Jeanty’s representation told multiple outlets the deal was fully guaranteed and matches the NFL assigned max value of the draft slot for the sixth overall pick –$35,895,812. Per the reports, the contract includes a $22,746,044 signing bonus and the standard fifth-year team option.

The Boise State running back was selected by the Raiders at No. 6, the highest a player at the position has been drafted since the Giants took Saquon Barkley No. 2 overall in 2018.

The runner-up in the Heisman Trophy voting to Colorado’s Travis Hunter, Jeanty had one of the top seasons of all time in 2024 by rushing for 2,601 yards and 29 touchdowns. The yardage is second most in a season behind legendary Barry Sanders, who rushed for 2,628 yards for Oklahoma State in 1988.

Jeanty led Boise State to a 12-2 record and an appearance in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals before the Broncos lost 31-14 to Penn State in the Fiesta Bowl.

Jeanty rushed for more than 100 yards in each game last season and was known for his dazzling long runs and penchant for breaking tackles. He holds the school record of 4,769 rushing yards and completed his Boise State career with 50 rushing touchdowns.

Jeanty was named Mountain West Conference Offensive Player of the Year for the second straight season. In 2023, he won the award after rushing for 1,347 yards and 14 touchdowns.

–Field Level Media

November 5, 2023; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) is tackled by New York Giants cornerback Cor'Dale Flott (28) during the second quarter at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

Former Raiders WR Hunter Renfrow signing with Panthers

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The Carolina Panthers agreed to terms on Sunday night with former Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow, a South Carolina native.

Renfrow, 29, was out of the NFL last season after being released by the Raiders on March 13, 2024.

He made the Pro Bowl with 103 receptions for 1,038 yards and nine touchdowns in 2021 but played a diminished role the next two seasons with a combined 61 catches for 585 yards and two scores in 27 games.

Renfrow has 269 catches for 2,884 yards and 17 TDs in 73 games (23 starts) since the Raiders drafted him in the fifth round in 2019 out of Clemson, where he helped the Tigers win national championships in the 2016 and 2018 seasons.

The Panthers’ depth at wide receiver includes veteran Adam Thielen, Jalen Coker, 2024 first-round pick Xavier Legette and the No. 8 overall pick in Thursday’s draft, Tetairoa McMillan.

–Field Level Media

Apr 25, 2025; Henderson, NV, USA; Las Vegas Raiders first round draft pick in the 2025 NFL Draft Ashton Jeanty, speaks to the media at Intermountain Health Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-Imagn Images

Grading the Raiders’ Draft

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Grade: A+

Best Pick: RB Ashton Jeanty, No. 6 Overall

What We Liked: The Raiders got a blue-chip guy at six, hard to argue with that. Jeanty is a big-time impact player for a team that never really had an offense that chugged. However, one great pick does not make an A+ draft class. The Raiders knocked it out of the park with virtually every pick. Their new wide receiver room combines high-floor prospects like Jack Bech with big-upside swings like Dont’e Thornton Jr. Their two offensive linemen picks are both big-time athletes who could start early. Darien Porter may be old for a draft pick, but he’s the perfect Pete Carroll corner. Raiders fans, get excited.

Not Sure About: The two late defensive tackle picks don’t really have any special skills and have limited upside. I would expect them to be rotational players at best. If JJ Pegues starts getting reps at fullback, then get worried about these being wasted picks. I personally would have added a safety earlier, but that’s a nitpick on a top-tier draft class.

–Dean Bruce, special to Field Level Media

Sep 15, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Las Vegas Raiders offensive tackle Kolton Miller (74) before the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

Raiders LT Kolton Miller not taking part in voluntary offseason program

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Las Vegas Raiders left tackle Kolton Miller continues to sit out of the team’s voluntary offseason program, hoping to negotiate a contract extension.

Miller, 29, was selected by the franchise with the No. 15 overall pick of the 2018 draft. Before the 2021 season, he signed a three-year, $54 million contract extension and is due to earn a $12.2 million base salary in 2025 in the final years of the deal.

His current contract contains no guaranteed money for the upcoming season.

Raiders general manager John Spytek told reporters Friday that he does not talk about contracts.

“I’m just gonna give you our answer and it’s gonna be this going forward,” Spytek said. “We’re not gonna discuss contracts publicly and this is certainly a voluntary part of the offseason program. Guys are free to come and go as they please.”

Miller has played 109 games (107 starts) with the Raiders. His 80.6 overall Pro Football Focus grade in 2024 was 13th among tackles.

-Field Level Media

Feb 25, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Las Vegas Raiders coach Pete Carroll speaks during the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Raiders 2025 draft needs, picks, best fits, history

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Pete Carroll turns 74 in September but nobody would know it by reading his energy.

Carroll is back in coaching after a year away, taking over a Raiders’ operation with 33 losses and three head coaches since 2022.

Changes Carroll wanted implemented were set in motion quickly. The No. 6 overall draft pick is expected to bring additional firepower to orchestrate a turnaround. Based on 2024 production, there are many miles to be traveled.

The Raiders were dead last in the NFL in rushing at 79.8 yards per game and 27th in total offense. They peaked in Week 2 with 26 points at Baltimore in a three-point victory and never scored more than 25 (Week 17) the rest of the season.

Carroll traded for his old quarterback in Seattle, 34-year-old Geno Smith, and brought in 33-year-old running back Raheem Mostert in a continuation of the age-is-no-factor flex.

Building blocks at the ready include pass rusher Maxx Crosby, who signed an extension with the Raiders upon Carroll’s arrival, and tight end Brock Bowers.

There aren’t many more on their level because of a poor record in the draft, which Carroll and first-year general manager John Spytek, the third primary personnel man in Las Vegas in three seasons, need to change immediately.

–Team needs
Edge rusher: Crosby was never fully healthy last season and still led the team with 7.5 sacks on a bad ankle before he was shut down with the team in the midst of a 10-game losing streak that spanned all of October, November and two weeks in December. Signing DT Christian Wilkins to a $100 million contract last spring didn’t bring the immediate impact expected. Adding another versatile edge defender matches the track record of Carroll and Spytek, who was with the line-heavy Buccaneers the past 10 years. Carroll is fond of power defensive ends who can kick inside — recall Michael Bennett, for example — and might turn to another Texas A&M product in Shemar Stewart if Las Vegas decides to move down.

Wide receiver: A strong possibility exists the Raiders will have their choice of non-QB skill-position players at No. 6. The WR room is a ghost town beyond Jakobi Meyers and speed demon Tre Tucker. Tetairoa McMillan (Arizona) and Matthew Golden (Texas) are good fits for different reasons. If the Raiders believe McMillan can operate inside on occasion — he was in the slot almost 25 percent of the time for the Wildcats — they could decide to play the mismatch card to further amplify the effectiveness of star TE Bowers. Carroll and Spytek both come from franchises who thrived when the slot receivers were productive, but also valued size outside in Mike Evans (Buccaneers) and DK Metcalf (Seahawks). Offensive coordinator Chip Kelly will know all there is to know about Ohio State prospect Emeka Egbuka after calling plays for the Buckeyes last season, and Carroll did just fine in his final draft with Seattle taking Jaxon Smith-Njigba (20th overall).

Running back: Other than the infamous goal line decision that wound up in Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler’s hands, you can almost always count on Carroll to lead with the ground game. Mostert was a scoring machine in Miami and might have some life left, but if 30 is the edge of the cliff for running backs, where are the Raiders with a 33-year-old lead back? A committee is much more likely and the Raiders won’t leave the draft room at the end of the seventh round without a running back — or two. Speaking of Kelly, he’ll have all the intel on top-50 backs TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins.

–Best prospect fits
OLB Jalon Walker, Georgia
OLB Abdul Carter, Penn State
RB Ashton Jeanty, Boise State
CB Will Johnson, Michigan
DT Mason Graham, Michigan
WR Matthew Golden, Texas
DT Walter Nolen, Ole Miss
DE Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M

–2025 draft picks by round
Total picks: 9
By round (pick in round, overall pick)
1: 6, 6
2: 5, 37
3: 4, 68
4: 6, 108
5: 5, 143
6: 4, 180
6: 37, 213 (Compensatory selection)
6: 39, 215 (Compensatory selection)
7: 6, 222

–History Lesson
–The franchise last had the No. 6 pick in 1988 and drafted Notre Dame wide receiver Tim Brown.
–Four of the Raiders’ past seven top draft picks were offensive or defensive linemen.
–Crosby was the 106th overall pick in 2019.

–Field Level Media

Oct 20, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Las Vegas Raiders offensive tackle Kolton Miller (74) provides protection for quarterback Gardner Minshew (15) during an NFL game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

Raiders’ Kolton Miller skips voluntary workouts in search of new deal

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Las Vegas Raiders left tackle Kolton Miller has opted not to participate in the team’s voluntary workouts in hopes of landing a better contract, according to reports on Wedensday.

Miller, 29, has served as the Raiders’ starting left tackle since he was selected 15th overall in the 2018 NFL Draft out of UCLA. The 6-foot-8, 325-pound lineman has started 107 of 109 games over the last seven seasons and, per Pro Football Focus, ranked as the league’s 14th-best tackle in the 2024 season.

Under new coach Pete Carroll, the Raiders began voluntary workouts April 8. Per NFL rules, veterans are not required to participate in such offseason work. However, with the Raiders slated to host a voluntary minicamp April 21-23, Miller’s absence becomes more noticeable as new offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, new quarterback Geno Smith and the rest of the offensive unit prepares for the upcoming season.

The team has a mandatory minicamp from June 10-12.

Per Spotrac, Miller signed a three-year, $54 million deal prior to the 2023 season. He’s slated to earn $12,255,998 in the final year of his deal with a $50,000 workout bonus. If Miller does not sign a new contract before the 2025 season ends, he will become an unrestricted free agent.

–Field Level Media

Georgia Southern quarterback Shai Werts (4) is taken down by Eastern Michigan defensive lineman Maxx Crosby (92) during the Camellia Bowl at Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Ala., on Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018. Georgia Southern defeated Eastern Michigan 23-21. Jc Camellia 31

Eastern Michigan tabs Raiders’ Maxx Crosby as assistant GM

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Star pass rusher Maxx Crosby of the Las Vegas Raiders became the first active NFL player to take an administrative position with an NCAA team, joining the Eastern Michigan football program as its assistant general manager on Monday, the university announced.

Crosby, 27, who starred at Eastern Michigan from 2016-18 and set the program record with 20 career sacks, will assist his alma mater in evaluating prospects, manage the NIL budget and assist the athletic director with alumni relations, student-athlete support and fundraising efforts.

“There is no place more important to my personal and athletic development than Eastern Michigan University,” Crosby said in a statement. “It truly is an honor for me to not only be named the Assistant GM of the EMU, but together with my wife Rachel, make another donation aimed at creating opportunities for other athletes to be impacted by the EMU program, community, students and alumni.”

Crosby, who along with his wife donated $1 million to Eastern Michigan’s football program in 2023, will match all donations to the football program made before the end up of May — up to $100,000 — as part of ” Maxx Match,” a fundraising challenge that he launched.

“Maxx Crosby’s return to EMU in this leadership role is a transformative moment for our football program,” athletic director Scott Wetherbee said in a release. “His passion, vision, and generosity are inspiring, and the Maxx Match is a powerful example of that. … With him on board, we’re building a better football program and a stronger future for EMU athletics.”

A four-time Pro Bowl selection, Crosby signed a three-year, $106.5 million extension last month to become the highest paid defensive player in NFL history. The new leader is Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett, who landed a four-year, $160 million deal.

Crosby has 366 tackles and 59.5 career sacks in 95 games (89 starts) since the Raiders selected him in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft.

He recorded a team-leading 7.5 sacks to go along with 45 tackles in 12 games (all starts) in 2024 before undergoing season-ending ankle surgery.

–Field Level Media

Jan 5, 2025; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Jack Jones (18) looks to tackle Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston (1) during the second quarter at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

Reports: Raiders cut CB Jack Jones after failing to trade him

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The Las Vegas Raiders released veteran cornerback Jack Jones on Sunday, according to multiple reports.

Las Vegas had attempted to find a trade partner for the 27-year-old, but found no teams willing to acquire him via trade.

Jones started 16 games (17 appearances) for the Raiders in 2024. He recorded three interceptions, one touchdown, 16 passes defended and 69 combined tackles in his first full season with the team.

Drafted by the New England Patriots in the fourth round (121st overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft, Jones has 136 combined tackles, seven interceptions, 27 passes defended, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and four scores over his first three seasons in the NFL.

Jones has played in 42 career games (21 starts) with the Patriots (2022-23) and the Las Vegas Radiers (2023-24). He was waived by the Pats in November 2023 and claimed by the Raiders one day later.

After being released, teams will not need to give up a compensatory pick to sign him this offseason.

–Field Level Media

Jan 5, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Seattle Seahawks Geno Smith (7) in the pocket during the 1st quarter versus the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Navarro-Imagn Images

Reports: Raiders QB Geno Smith agrees to 2-year extension through 2027

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The Las Vegas Raiders and their new quarterback, Geno Smith, have agreed to a two-year, $75 million contract extension, multiple media outlets reported on Thursday afternoon.

The new deal could be worth $85.5 million with incentives and includes $66.5 million guaranteed, per the reports.

Smith, 34, will be under contract through the 2027 season. He had the 2025 season and $31 million remaining on the $75 million pact he signed while with the Seattle Seahawks in 2023.

The Seahawks traded Smith to Las Vegas last month for a 2025 third-round draft pick after being unable to come to terms on an extension.

A full-time starter in Seattle the past three seasons with two Pro Bowl nods, Smith was reunited with former Seahawks coach Pete Carroll, whom the Raiders hired this offseason. Carroll, 73, was out of coaching last year after mutually agreeing with the Seahawks to step down as head coach. He stayed on as an adviser.

Smith was Carroll’s starting quarterback his final two seasons, piloting the Seahawks to matching 9-8 records after taking over for Russell Wilson, who was traded away before the 2022 season.

That year, his first as a full-time starter in Seattle, was Smith’s most successful, as he threw for 4,282 yards and a career-high 30 touchdowns against 11 interceptions, leading the Seahawks to the playoffs. He also completed a NFL-leading 69.8 percent of his passes and was named NFL Comeback Player of the Year.

The follow-up year netted fewer passing yards (3,624) and touchdowns (20) as Smith missed two games to a groin injury. Last year, under new coach Mike Macdonald, Smith rebounded to throw for 4,320 yards and 21 touchdowns (albeit with 15 interceptions) while leading Seattle to a 10-7 record.

Smith was drafted by the New York Jets in the second round in 2013 after a highly productive college career at West Virginia. He started 29 games over his first two seasons before being relegated to the bench, bouncing to the New York Giants and Los Angeles Chargers before landing in Seattle in 2019.

–Field Level Media