For the remainder of the 2026 NFL season, the Las Vegas Raiders' primary objective should be building around quarterback Fernando Mendoza. After trading Kirk Cousins to the Minnesota Vikings, the future is now in Las Vegas, and the team needs to support the rookie signal-caller as much as it can on both sides of the ball.
Mendoza will certainly go through growing pains in his first year. Still, the Raiders can help minimize them by stabilizing their offensive line, developing another playmaking wide receiver, continuing to work on the ground game, and fortifying the defense so he doesn't have to win scoring shootouts every week.
The Raiders won't be able to check all those boxes through in-house development overnight. If necessary, they can still add outside help in free agency.
With the trade deadline in the rearview, the Raiders can address needs around Mendoza and on defense with a few midseason free-agent pickups
LB Matt Milano
In recent weeks, quarterbacks have targeted the Raiders' linebackers. Nakobe Dean brings physicality to the front seven, but he's been inconsistent in pass coverage this season. Quay Walker had a rough outing in last week's loss to the San Francisco 49ers.
Las Vegas should consider adding a linebacker. Someone who can complement Dean and Walker—not replace them.
Matt Milano has earned recognition for his production in a versatile role with the Buffalo Bills, playing downhill to stop the run and dropping back into coverage. He also contributed to the pass rush, logging at least three sacks in three of his nine seasons.
Between 2023 and 2025, Milano saw less time on the field because of injuries, missing 30 games in that stretch. That said, he appeared in 12 games last season and hasn't signed with a team in 2026.
If healthy and refreshed, Milano could be a glue guy for the Raiders defense, which needs another defender who swarms to the ball and won't be a liability on passing downs.
DT Derrick Nnadi
The Raiders will put immense pressure on Mendoza if they can't stop opponents from moving the ball on the ground at will and controlling the clock with the run game. The regime shouldn't put a rookie quarterback in a position where he has to win despite a poor defense.
General manager John Spytek can consider Derrick Nnadi a low-cost Band-Aid to plug a hole on the interior of the defensive line.
Nnadi suited up for eight seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs, playing a little less than 50% of the defensive snaps in all but one season. Still, he carved out a role on early downs as a stout run-stopper.
It's not a flashy signing, but the 6-foot-1, 317-pounder could become the Raiders' best run-stopper by the end of the season.
WR Darius Slayton
This signing would add another playmaker to Mendoza's passing outlet. Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer are big targets who can be the rookie signal-caller's safety blankets.
But Mendoza has a strong enough arm that can open up the deep-ball passing game. Tre Tucker should benefit from the switch at quarterback with his speed and big-play ability, though Darius Slayton could expand on that dimension of the passing game.
In seven seasons with the New York Giants, Slayton averaged 15 yards per reception and led Big Blue in receiving yards in four of his first five seasons.
Slayton is a solid No. 2 receiver who should still have top-end speed in his age-29 campaign. Along with Tucker, he can produce explosive plays on perimeter.
Moe Moton writes about the Raiders for Just Blog Baby. You can follow him on Twitter at @MoeMoton.
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