Great teams are built through the draft.
But the Las Vegas Raiders have so much cap space to utilize next offseason, in addition to their draft capital, that John Spytek can double dip. While the Silver and Black have certainly taken a step forward this season, we'd be lying if we told you that this roster is not still littered with holes.
This is especially true at defensive tackle, guard, wide receiver, defensive end and safety. The Raiders need someone to plug the middle, one or two guys to help out Tyler Linderbaum, a big separator on the outside, more help for Maxx Crobsy and potentially a coverage upgrade from Jeremy Chinn.
That may sound like a lot, but Spytek and Klint Kubiak worked miracles this past offseason to improve a roster that was much worse off. And fortunately, there are plenty of suitable options set to be available on the open market who could help the leadership in Las Vegas achieve the same end.
Let's go through what should be the Raiders' wish list for next March, now that half of the 2026 NFL season is gone, and the picture is becoming clearer for next spring.
Las Vegas Raiders 2027 free agent wish list at the halfway point in 2026
Defensive tackle
Otito Ogbonnia
Ogbonnia is a big body that the Raiders could plant in the middle of the defense and transform the unit. He is one of the best run defenders in the NFL, and Ogbonnia is not a complete zero as a pass-rusher either. His ability to slide around the front would also be coveted, and he won't break the bank.
Kobie Turner
Turner is currently on injured reserve with a groin injury, but he tore it up before he was sidelined. In five complete games, he totaled 15 pressures, 13 tackles and 10 run stops, showcasing his well-rounded skill set. Turner is also capable of playing anything from the 1-tech to the 5-tech.
Jalen Redmond
Redmond is an underrated stud for Brian Flores' front in Minnesota, as he brings a blend of run-stopping ability and pass-rush juice. He's a pure 3-tech and lines up over the tackle way more than over the center, but the Raiders need a whole room retooling, and Redmond would be a nice add.
Wide receiver
George Pickens
As the Cowboys' season plummets into chaos and their cap situation doesn't get any easier to deal with, Jerry Jones is going to have to let go of Pickens. If the Raiders thoroughly vet his character or maturity concerns, his play and impact on the Las Vegas offense would speak for themselves.
Parker Washington
Washington is a unique player, as he's a bit undersized to play out wide but has tons of success doing so. In an offense with plenty of mouths to feed, Washington is still set to hit 1,000 yards or more, and he can bring his inside-outside versatility and ability to separate to the Raiders for a nice pay raise.
Josh Downs
Downs is more of a pure slot receiver, and he doesn't make sense to add to this current team in Las Vegas. But if the Raiders part ways with Tre Tucker, Downs would be a great replacement, and maybe even an upgrade with his separation ability. He's been saddled with poor QB play his whole career.
Guard
Steve Avila
Avila has been a stalwart at left guard for his entire four-year career with the Rams, but the 27-year-old does not have a long-term deal in place to stay with Los Angeles after 2026. If Las Vegas could add him next to Tyler Linderbaum, it would be magical. The Rams average 5.8 ypc running off him.
T.J. Bass
Bass is a starting-level player who has been forced to sit behind elite guards like Tyler Smith and Tyler Booker in Dallas. When called upon, though, he has played well for the Cowboys, and surely he'd be up to the task of a starting role or at least competing for one with the Raiders come next fall.
Kevin Dotson
Dotson is an older player, but if Spytek and Kubiak feel confident about a potential run next year, this is a guy they should sign. The veteran is solid in pass protection, and the Rams are averaging 6.0 ypc when running off him. Dotson is more of a "win now" move, but who's to say Las Vegas can't do that?
Defensive end
Yaya Diaby
Diaby is not going to get paid by the Buccaneers, but Spytek, who was in Tampa Bay when he was drafted, might want to. He is not having his best year, so Diaby may be cheaper than he previously was, and his pass-rush win rate is still very good at 17.4 percent, even if he's not racking up sacks.
Byron Young
One of these young Rams stars has to be the odd man out, and the Raiders should pounce on whoever it is. Young's résumé speaks for itself, as he's a Pro Bowl-level player set to hit free agency at just 29 years old, so he should be a commodity that Las Vegas may have to bid and pay a lot for.
Tuli Tuipulotu
Tuipulotu is also a young LA star, but for the Chargers, and he is a bit younger than Young, as he just turned 24 in September but is already in the final year of his rookie deal. He had double-digit sacks last season and should only continue to grow with age. Signing him would also hurt the Raiders' rival.
Safety
Brian Branch
Branch is being eased back in a bit by the Lions as he returns from injury, but he's one of the most talented DBs in the NFL when healthy. The Raiders clearly believe in their strength staff, so they could get a Pro Bowl talent and devise a plan for him to play alongside Treydan Stukes for the long haul.
Brandon Jones
Jones is an unheralded but critically important member of the Broncos' elite secondary. He can play both safety spots, is a good run defender, doesn't get exploited in coverage and can make plays on the ball. He'll be 29, but Jones could be another potential upgrade from Chinn.
Dane Belton
Belton played really well against the Raiders last week, and that always matters. He'll only be 26, and can play both spots, has the ability to come up and tackle, and he's been solid in coverage, outside of one game. He's like a smaller Chinn but may be a bit cheaper and is a little under two years younger.
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