It is important to live in the present, and right now, the Las Vegas Raiders are a 1-0 football team. But the roster-building element of the NFL is ever-present, which means keeping a watchful eye on the future, whether that be next year's draft or free agency class.
John Spytek and Co. are clearly operating with the future in mind, as they extended Michael Mayer just before the 2026 NFL season so that he wouldn't hit the open market next spring. But he's far from the only player in Las Vegas who is set to become available in March 2027.
So, we'll be doing a fun new exercise weekly with the team's' 2027 free agent class: Commit or quit? This breaks down the Raiders who are in a contract year into two categories, those who Las Vegas should keep, and those who the front office should let walk.
What to do with Las Vegas Raiders' 2027 free agency class after Week 1
Extension candidates
Tre Tucker
A case can be made for the Silver and Black to keep Tucker around and not let him test free agency. He didn't make a strong one in Week 1, though. But something tells me that the entire body of work, or at least what he's done at the halfway point in the year, will encourage the executives in Las Vegas to sneak Tucker back onto the team at an under-market deal and let him grow next to a true No. 1.
Post-Week 1 verdict: Commit
Foley Fatukasi
Fatukasi got the start at defensive tackle for the Raiders, and although he played just 18 defensive snaps, he made an impact, making four tackles, recording 0.5 sacks, batting down a pass and making two stops. I'm not saying that the Raiders need to ink the 31-year-old to some lucrative long-term deal, but if he keeps this up, something in the ballpark of what Adam Butler got in 2025 may work.
Post-Week 1 verdict:Commit
Bring back at the right price
Jeremy Chinn
Chinn made some great tackles and forced a fumble on Sunday, but he also whiffed on a few tackle attempts and has yet to show that he can consistently produce in coverage. The reason he is not an extension candidate is that he hasn't quite proven that Las Vegas can't let him get to the open market and simply find another comparable player. But he's worth bringing back if he's not too expensive.
Post-Week 1 verdict:Commit
Thomas Booker IV
Booker IV, like Fatukasi, didn't need many snaps to make his presence known. In 19 reps, he had three tackles, two stops, a tackle for loss and a quarterback hit. Booker IV will be an unrestricted free agent for the first time, so he may want to test the market, but Las Vegas should re-sign if he's cheap.
Post-Week 1 verdict:Commit
Tristin McCollum
McCollum didn't play on defense in Week 1, but as always, he was a core special-teamer. Considering he is a restricted free agent next year, nothing can stand in the way of the Raiders bringing him back at a fixed price. I could see Spytek and Co. agreeing to do that because McCollum is solid and familiar.
Post-Week 1 verdict:Commit
Patrick Johnson
Johnson shouldn't be too expensive as a journeyman edge rusher, so if he continues to play as well as he did in the preseason, then bringing him back at a low cost is a no-brainer. He only played six defensive snaps against the Miami Dolphins, but he was a stalwart and stud on special teams.
Post-Week 1 verdict: Commit
Need to see more
Malcolm Koonce
Koonce can't just keep signing one-year deals with the Raiders. I mean, he can, but one would think that eventually the two sides either agree on a long-term extension or both sides want a change of scenery. After an up-and-down showing in Week 1, I lean toward the latter, especially with Kwity Paye looking like the Robin to Maxx Crosby's Batman, and Keyron Crawford returning next year.
Post-Week 1 verdict:Quit
Spencer Burford
Burford was quietly a weak link on the Las Vegas offensive line on opening weekend. If his struggles continue, then he may not even make it to the end of the season as the Raiders' starter, let alone be considered for a contract next offseason.
Post-Week 1 verdict:Quit
Matt Gay
Gay was completely fine against Miami, making both field goals and all three extra points. But he just hasn't had a "wow" moment yet that would lead Las Vegas and its fanbase to believe that they can't find a better kicker, or at least one with more upside, next offseason instead.
Post-Week 1 verdict:Quit
Darrell Luter Jr.
Perhaps this is unfair, as Luter Jr. was inactive on game day, but that is also sort of the point. Cody White was activated from the practice squad despite being added later, and he played both on special teams and on offense. The Raiders don't seem crazy about rotating cornerbacks a ton, either.
Post-Week 1 verdict:Quit
Carter Runyon
Runyon is on IR, but with a designation to return, so we'll talk about him here. With Ian Thomas finally having a good game, perhaps my bullishness on Runyon ever having a role in Las Vegas should subside. But I just think Runyon would be a fun piece in this offense, and if he plays well whenever he gets healthy, he's absolutely worth bringing back as an ultra-cheap exclusive rights free agent.
Post-Week 1 verdict:Commit
Alex Ward
One thing I will not do is pretend to know a lot about long snapping. It is a blind spot in whatever football knowledge I have. But until Ward has a glaring issue or messes up, there's no reason to move on from him. A full season is a better measuring stick for that, though. One game is one game.
Post-Week 1 verdict:Commit
Let 'em walk
Kirk Cousins
Okay, you caught me. Cousins isn't technically a free agent until 2028... but we all know the deal here. And nothing in his Week 1 performance would indicate that the Raiders need him to stick around for another year at a very expensive price point to mentor Fernando Mendoza anymore.
Post-Week 1 verdict:Quit
Aidan O'Connell
O'Connell has a reputation for being a solid quarterback, and in many ways, he is. But he's really had a rough go the last few times he's suited up for the Silver and Black, so a change of scenery is probably best for both sides. And until he plays in a game this year, if that happens, that opinion won't change.
Post-Week 1 verdict:Quit
Isaiah Pola-Mao
Pola-Mao went from an every-snap player in 2025 to not touching the field on defense. He played a key role on special teams, but his shutout on defense tells you exactly how the new defensive staff views him compared to Treydan Stukes, his rookie counterpart. Pola-Mao will have a market, and there is no reason for him to stick around in Las Vegas to just play on special teams.
Post-Week 1 verdict:Quit
Ian Thomas
Thomas had a good day at the office on Sunday, and it's possible that he just continues to hang around until his blocking skills really go by the wayside. But how fun would it be if the Raiders had a third tight end who could both catch and block? I think Las Vegas tries to upgrade here next spring.
Post-Week 1 verdict:Quit
Dareke Young
Young made a good play on special teams, but the Raiders clearly have enough juice in the return game without him. If practice squad elevations are outsnapping him on offense, too, that's not a good sign for his longevity in the organization.
Post-Week 1 verdict:Quit
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