It can be difficult to look too far ahead with the Las Vegas Raiders now being 2-0 to kick off the 2026 NFL season. But the future comes rapidly in this league, and it is always beneficial to keep a pulse on things like college prospects, imminent external free agents or in-house players in contract years.
The front office in Las Vegas is already out on the road scouting for the 2027 NFL Draft, and they have pro scouts dedicated to watching players around the league and determining who may be a nice fit next offseason. The roster-building equation is never solved in the NFL, especially for the Raiders.
So, as we did last week, we will take a look at all of the Silver and Black's players who are in a contract year and ask a simple question: Commit or quit? I.e., should John Spytek extend these players, bring them back in some capacity or simply let them walk? Let's see how it looks after a Week 2 victory.
What to do with Las Vegas Raiders' 2027 free agency class after 2
Extension candidates
Tre Tucker
Tucker lit it up for Las Vegas with five catches for 119 yards and a touchdown against what was supposed to be a solid Los Angeles Chargers secondary. He also caught two passes of over 40 yards. It'll be important to see how he plays alongside Brock Bowers in this new offense, which will hopefully happen this week, but if Tucker keeps it up, he may cash in before hitting the open market.
Post-Week 2 verdict:Â Commit
Jeremy Chinn
Chinn did mess up the coverage on the Chargers' lone touchdown through the air, but the Raiders still seem to love Chinn and his versatility. He plays every snap and moves around quite a bit, and Chinn cleaned up his missed tackles in Week 2 while also making a handful of tackles. And he recovered a crucial fumble. He doesn't need big money, but the team could justify a modest Chinn extension.
Post-Week 2 verdict:Commit
Bring back at the right price
Foley Fatukasi
Fatukasi played more snaps this past Sunday than he did in the opener, and while he didn't jump out on the screen quite as much, he still pitched in a solid two pressures, two tackles and a stop in 23 reps. At his age, perhaps he isn't really an extension candidate, but the Raiders could value him on a year-to-year basis if he continues to play at the level that he has in the early going.
Post-Week 2 verdict:Commit
Thomas Booker IV
Booker IV didn't contribute a ton in the box score, logging just one tackle, but he also had a pressure and a stop again, and he got his hands dirty against the run. While he may not be a splash playmaker, Booker IV hustles and is a solid part of the interior rotation. He shouldn't cost much, so he'd be worth re-signing this offseason, depending on what the numbers game looks like at defensive tackle.
Post-Week 2 verdict:Commit
Malcolm Koonce
Koonce looked like his old self in Week 2, recording 1.5 sacks, three stops and a forced fumble. The trick for him, though, is to be that player on a consistent basis. Good edge rushers are not cheap, and the better Koonce plays, the more money he will demand in the spring. As it stands, though, Koonce should be re-signed once again next offseason if the price is right.
Post-Week 2 verdict:Commit
Need to see more
Patrick Johnson
Johnson wasn't involved on defense this past Sunday, but he is invaluable on special teams, logging 22 snaps in that phase of the game. To feel fully confident about re-signing him in March, it'd be nice to see him contribute a bit more on defense, but for now, let's put him in the "sticks around" bucket.
Post-Week 2 verdict:Â Commit
Tristin McCollum
McCollum was inactive in Week 2, as the Raiders went with bigger personnel against a run-heavy Los Angeles team. But he'll be cheap next offseason no matter what, and he's been a solid player on defense and on special teams.
Post-Week 2 verdict:Commit
Matt Gay
Gay actually made a career-long 59-yard field goal on Sunday to stay perfect for the year and made all of his extra points once again. A bigger sample size is needed for Gay, and fans haven't seen him in a clutch scenario yet, but he's looking like a guy worth keeping around, at least to compete again.
Post-Week 2 verdict:Commit
Spencer Burford
Burford was penalized and gave up two pressures, including a hit, against the Chargers, and he didn't do well paving lanes in the run game again. Jackson Powers-Johnson struggled against Los Angeles as well, but Burford continues to be a weak link. He may not make it to the year's end before being replaced by Caleb Rogers, which would mean he isn't likely to be back in 2027. But he's got time.
Post-Week 2 verdict:Quit
Darrell Luter Jr.
Luter Jr. didn't play at all on defense despite Darien Porter being out, and while he was asked to do a lot defensively, he didn't stand out in any way. Considering how low-stakes it was to bring him to Las Vegas, and how many young cornerback pieces the Raiders have, Luter Jr. may not be in the plans.
Post-Week 2 verdict:Quit
Alex Ward
Ward is doing his job, it seems, as Gay and A.J. Cole are having no issues. And he had no penalties this week, so there is no need to rock the boat.
Post-Week 2 verdict:Commit
Isaiah Pola-Mao
Pola-Mao is interesting, as he may not have played again in Week 2, had it not been for an injury to Treydan Stukes. His going into the game was a reminder that the safety depth is thin, and perhaps he could be useful in this new-look defense. But Pola-Mao was the culprit on the Chargers' biggest play of the day, a 53-yard pass, and he didn't do much in the way of a positive impact. So, he can still go.
Post-Week 2 verdict:Quit
Let 'em walk
Kirk Cousins
Cousins actually played quite well against the Chargers and proved that he had a stronger arm, or at least more downfield ability, than Raider Nation thought. But Fernando Mendoza will undoubtedly be even better in this offense, and Cousins' price tag is still too massive to justify keeping him.
Post-Week 2 verdict:Quit
Aidan O'Connell
O'Connell has been away from the team for roughly a week, dealing with personal or family issues. Of course, we hope that all is well with him and his loved ones. From a football perspective, it is still just hard to see a future for him in Las Vegas, though, and he may be fine with a change of scenery as well.
Post-Week 2 verdict:Quit
Ian Thomas
In Week 2, Thomas missed two blocks that led to pressures on Cousins, but he did catch one pass for 11 yards, to his credit. Still, there's no real reason to keep him around when a similar player could be found in the late rounds of the draft who would be cheaper and potentially have more upside.
Post-Week 2 verdict:Quit
Dareke Young
Young had a big catch on a trick play, and he continues to be a solid special teamer, with one of his calling cards being a guy who skillfully downs A.J. Cole punts deep in opponent territory. But with so many strong special-teamers on the roster and a wide receiver room revamp needed, Young may not stick in Las Vegas beyond this year.
Post-Week 2 verdict:Quit
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