Free Agency: Who’s New
Nick Kwiatkowski, LB
With only one linebacker currently under contract it’s no surprise the first player the Raiders have agreed to terms with is Nick Kwiatkowski.
Kwiatkowski, 26 is a former 2016 fourth round draft pick. In 2019 he logged 76 tackles, three sacks, one interception, and four pass break ups. The former Bear will step right in as the new starting mike linebacker for the Raiders.
Marcus Mariota, QB
Monday night the Raiders and Marcus Mariota agreed to terms on a new contract that will bring the former second overall pick to Las Vegas.
The belief is he was brought in to serve as the back up to Derek Carr. Mariota lost his starting job in Tennessee this past season when the Titans got off to a slow start. Mariota has all the tools to be successful in the NFL, perhaps a change of scenery will be good for his career.
Cory Littleton, LB
Mike Mayock and Jon Gruden continued to revamp the linebacker room on Tuesday when they agreed to terms on a 3 year, $36 million dollar deal with Cory Littleton. Littleton is exactly the type of linebacker the Raiders have lacked in recent years. He can run sideline to sideline and more importantly has coverage skills. He has recorded 22 PBU in the past two seasons.
In 2019, Littleton stuffed the stat sheet with 134 tackles, 3.5 sacks, four fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles, and two interceptions.
Jason Witten, TE
In a surprise move the Raiders added 16 year Dallas Cowboy, Jason Witten. Witten will join a young and talented group of tight ends with Darren Waller and Foster Moreau. Although Witten’s skills are diminished a bit he will be a great mentor to the younger players in the locker room. He will also provide the position with some depth while Moreau gets himself back to full health.
Witten returned to the field last season after spending a year in the booth for Monday Night Football. In 2019 he caught 63 passes for 529 yards and four touchdowns. Witten will turn 38 in May.
Maliek Collins, DT
The Raiders have said that they are going to bolster all position groups this offseason, and they did so here by adding Maliek Collins from the Dallas Cowboys. The young defensive tackle started all 16 games for the Cowboys last season, racking up four sacks, while also getting ten quarterback hits.
Carl Nassib, Edge
The Raiders continue to add pieces to a defense that badly needs the help. It was announced Tuesday afternoon that the Raiders have agreed to terms with defensive end Carl Nassib. Nassib who sent the last two seasons with Tampa Bay has recorded 12.5 sacks in that time.
Nassib is strong against the run in addition to some pass rush ability. He will join a rotation of defensive ends that includes Maxx Crosby, Clelin Ferrell, and Arden Key.
Jeff Heath, Safety/Special Teams Ace
For the third time in free agency, The Raiders agreed to terms with a former Cowboy. This time locking up safety and special team ace, Jeff Heath. Heath has a history with not only Rod Marinelli but more importantly special teams coordinator, Rich Bisaccia.
Heath went undrafted in 2013 but worked his way into a full time starter for the Cowboys in 2017. His best season came n 2018 when he started 16 games, made 85 tackles, one interception, one forced fumble, and five pass break ups.
Eli Apple, Cornerback
After missing out on Bryon Jones the Raiders get the secondary some help with the addition of former New Orleans Saint and New York Giant, Eli Apple.
Apple is a former number 10 overall pick out of Ohio State. He has not lived up to the billing of a top ten pick but he did show some improvement during his time with the Saints. Apple should come in and compete, if not be the leader for the corner job opposite Trayvon Mullen.
Eric Kush, Offensive Guard
In a move for more depth along the offensive line, the Raiders signed former Cleveland Browns offensive guard Eric Kush to a one-year deal on Saturday. The signing of Kush is an interesting one, as rumors continue to swirl as to whether or not Gabe Jackson will be dealt, but this is more of a move to bring in more talent behind the starters.
Nelson Agholor, Wide Receiver
The Las Vegas Raiders came into the offseason needing a true WR1, as well as some depth at wide receiver, and they got the depth they wanted with the signing of Nelson Agholor. This is a guy who is a solid route-runner, and a Super Bowl champion, but he has also had his issues with drops during his career, and has been far from consistent.