Raiderstation

Raiders Reserve/Future Signings

“The Raiders announced they have sighed Chris Collier RB, McClendon Curtis G, Jamin Davis LB, Phillip Dorsett II WR, Treven Ma'ae DT, Joshua Miles T, Albert Okwuegbunam Jr. TE, Brenden Rice WR, Layden Robinson G, Justin Shorter WR, Laki Tasi OL, and Dalton Wagner T to reserve/futures deals.

The most notable player from that list is offensive lineman Laki Tasi. The Raiders are big on him as he is learning the game of football. Tasi is from the International Player Pathway Program. He is developing and could be a huge factor for the Silver and Black in the future. The other one is linebacker Jamin Davis. Davis is a former first-round pick by the Commanders in 2021.”

I would move on from Geno, obviously. He is really the only one you have to move on from immediately because he has an additional $8 million guaranteed if you don't cut him at the beginning of the league year.

I'd hang onto Cappa until you supplant him on the depth chart, which ideally is after the draft. You don't need the cap space from releasing him until it's time to sign the draft picks anyway and keeping a vet olineman on the roster helps maintain more uncertainty about your need for olineman among other teams who may try to jump ahead in the draft.

I'm not a big Pola Mao fan, but I'd keep him at least until camp to see if he works well with the new DC or if you've just made him redundant.

I don't think O'Connell or Butler have any real trade value and I'd plan to have both through 2026. I don't think we need a better backup than O'Connell because winning games without Mendoza won't be a priority because wins won't be our priority in 2026. If we add another backup QB it needs to be for his value as a mentor and not for his value as a player in a game. Butler, ideally, will just be good depth.

I want the new DC to have something to build on, so I'd keep Crosby. I won't miss his yapping if he gets traded, but I'll miss his performance.

GoodTimeCharlie wrote: Wed Jan 28, 2026 5:19 pm “Las Vegas Raiders 2026 release & trade candidates”

The Las Vegas Raiders are headed into the 2026 off-season with a projected 96.8 million in cap space which can get up to 115 million with rollover cap space. They’ll rank either 2nd or 3rd in the NFL in terms of overall cap space, but in a weaker free agency class they’ll likely have to target more mid tier free agents then any top of the market guys though some notable aspects exists headlined by Colts receiver Alec Pierce. Despite their cap space, the Raiders will have notable factors to consider this off-season to either save more space or potentially find some extensions.

QB Geno Smith:

The Raiders acquired Smith for a 2025 third rounder and signed him to a 2 year, 75 million extension less than a year ago. On the 3rd day of the league year in 2026, Smith will have 8.5 million of his 18.5 million in 2026 guaranteed making him have 0 free cap space if released. If a pre June 1st release, the Raiders would take on 18.5 million in dead cap space but also free 8 million in cap space. The Raiders will need a veteran quarterback to backup and mentor first overall selection Fernando Mendoza but with the ties Smith has to Pete Carroll it’s hard to see him remaining in Las Vegas going forward into 2026 and beyond.

G Alex Cappa

Signed by the Raiders last March, Cappa inked a 2 year, 11 million contract. Cappa posted 538 snaps this season allowing 5 sacks and 23 pressures but did spend time as the Raiders starting center from weeks 12-18. While Cappa struggled immensely to start the season and is not the same player he was with the Buccaneers, he does provide a possible depth option in 2026 for the Raiders at both center and guard. The Raiders are full of young talent on their offensive line, and Cappa has no realm to start but the Raiders could value his experience and veteran leadership along with track record. If released, the Raiders take on 1 million in dead cap and save 5 million.

SAF Isaiah Pola-Mao

Signed to a 2 year, 7.45 million contract Pola-Mao holds a 4.8 million cap hit in 2026 and at 27 years old Pola-Mao may have the ability to stay on the roster or the Raiders could look elsewhere. If released, he’ll carry a dead cap hit of just 750,000 and a free cap space of 4.1 million. Pola-Mao logged 1081 snaps in 2025 allowing 27 receptions for 365 yards, five touchdowns, and a 115.1 QBR. Additionally he did add 2 interceptions and 5 PBU while also missing 21 tackles which was the most among NFL safeties. At 6’4, 205 Pola-Mao does have the size and athleticism to be a traditional safety but he’s struggled in coverage and likely needs to take a depth role or a nickel linebacker position similar to what he was utilized as in 2022 and 2023 prior to transitioning to full time deep safety in 2024. The Raiders may move on to utilize the cap space for another depth option, though Pola-Mao’s experience does provide a boost for his chance to stay on the roster.


The following players could be released but a more likely situation of them being traded is what I would bank on.

QB Aidan O’Connell

While unlikely, it’s possible O’Connell could be released this off-season as the team looks to revamp their quarterback room. O’Connell is headed into his 4th season and at 28 years old likely will have no path towards starting or being the backup option for Las Vegas. O’Connell carries a 3.73 million cap hit and if released will save the team 3.6 million in cap space. O’Connell’s release or a potential and more likely trade, wouldn’t be out of cap saving purposes but instead would be a viable option to open a roster spot, add draft capital, and create an entirely new quarterback room. it’s possible O’Connell could have some looks as a quarterback option in a trade as he’s a career 62%, 3932 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions along with starting 17 career games.

IDL Adam Butler

Listed in order of most to least likely, it’s hard to see a world Adam Butler isn’t with the Raiders in 2026 even after a down season in 2025. The Raiders signed the now 31 year old defensive tackle to a 3 year, 16 million contract extension after a 2024 season which saw Butler post 65 tackles, 8 TFL, 5 sacks, 2 PBU, a forced fumble, 11 QB hits, 31 pressures, and 32 stops while ranking top 25 in pass rush and run stop win rate at defensive tackle. Like most of the roster, Butler saw a dip in production in 2025 despite playing 684 snaps. The veteran logged just 50 tackles, 3 TFL, 5 hits, a sack, and a fumble recovery while also posting 23 stops, 19 pressures, and a 6.9% pass rush win rate. As a standard release, Butler would only save the Raiders 2.1 million in cap space but can be designated as a post 6/1 release for 3.2 million in free cap space. It’s unlikely that Butler will be released and his 6.5 million cap hit is not a huge burden for the roster. Butler’s release, or potential trade, would more have to do with the Raiders wanting to get younger on the defensive line instead of targeting veteran options.

T Kolton Miller

Let me start with this, no I don’t think Miller will be released or traded but I do think there’s a realistic world where he could end up getting traded as the Raiders try to rebuild and move forward. Miller suffered a season ending injury in 2023 and then another one early in 2025. The now 30 year old tackle has struggled with injuries throughout his career but recently has started to suffer season ending ones. Miller has been a foundation for the Raiders offensive line and signed an extension this off-season worth 54 million over three seasons. Miller is under contract for three more seasons with a cap hit of 22.5 in 2026 and 20.3 million 2027 and 2028. As a pre 6/1 trade in 2026 the Raiders would take on 7.5 million in dead cap hit for 2026 and free 15 million in cap space along with 15.2 million in 2027 and 17.7 million in 2028. The Raiders likely shouldn’t move on from Miller and his value will be near an all time low with injuries. Instead the Raiders should retain Miller, continue to build around him as the core of the offensive line and if they are looking to shop him do so in 2027.

EDGE Maxx Crosby

The one Raiders fans don’t want to hear about, lucky for you I have already wrote about his market and a possible trade here: https://www.silverandblackpride.com/las ... as-raiders

https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/las-v ... 00164.html

The only player on the Raiders with more trade value is Bowers. He is going no where. Crosby will be a very good player for another 3-4 years. His trade value will never be higher. Time to let him go play for a winner while the Raiders are recalculating.

chucker wrote: Wed Jan 28, 2026 5:37 pm I would move on from Geno, obviously. He is really the only one you have to move on from immediately because he has an additional $8 million guaranteed if you don't cut him at the beginning of the league year.

I'd hang onto Cappa until you supplant him on the depth chart, which ideally is after the draft. You don't need the cap space from releasing him until it's time to sign the draft picks anyway and keeping a vet olineman on the roster helps maintain more uncertainty about your need for olineman among other teams who may try to jump ahead in the draft.

I'm not a big Pola Mao fan, but I'd keep him at least until camp to see if he works well with the new DC or if you've just made him redundant.

I don't think O'Connell or Butler have any real trade value and I'd plan to have both through 2026. I don't think we need a better backup than O'Connell because winning games without Mendoza won't be a priority because wins won't be our priority in 2026. If we add another backup QB it needs to be for his value as a mentor and not for his value as a player in a game. Butler, ideally, will just be good depth.

I want the new DC to have something to build on, so I'd keep Crosby. I won't miss his yapping if he gets traded, but I'll miss his performance.

Geno definitely needs to go. Even if half the problem was a terrible OLine gifted by the Carroll spawn, Geno’s behavior nailed that coffin shut. It’s no surprise that I.K. Enemkpali broke the douchenozzles jaw. Never thought we’d have another QB as distasteful as that one weasel.

Makes sense on Cappa. Be nice if he finds himself 3rd+ on the depth chart rather than 2nd. Really hoping all those young fellas got some sand. Especially that mountain man Laki Tasi.

Pola-Mao is just another nobody in a long line of nobodies at the Safety position. We really haven’t had a good Safety since Woodson. That’s a scant 11 years ago. The secondary in general has been a desolate wasteland that only got worse the more they tried to fix it. It’s probably the sorest spot. The QB position has sucked, but they never even attempted to fix it with legit early-round picks. We’ve thrown the kitchen sink at the secondary and came up bupkis.

AOC as the 3rd unless someone beats him out. Not a bad guy, cheap, just not a great football player. I like Tyrod Taylor for the backup/mentor role. He fits either Kubiak or Webb’s approach to Offense, as does Mendo, and at 36 I’m assuming he won’t be puttin’ up a stink about taking on that role.

Man, for the D, we need bodies. Glass-half-full, if Spytek can draft, it’s impossible not to improve at every position, but Maxx’s. The state of the D is my concern for not being able to pull a Jim Schwartz into the fold.

RunOverByHubbard wrote: Wed Jan 28, 2026 5:56 pm The only player on the Raiders with more trade value is Bowers. He is going no where. Crosby will be a very good player for another 3-4 years. His trade value will never be higher. Time to let him go play for a winner while the Raiders are recalculating.

To let Max go you better get a haul because otherwise you’re letting truly the defenses only real bright spot go in an otherwise weak group. He will need to be replaced and I remember somebody saying,”Good pass rushers are hard to find” after letting Mack go. Doesn’t pass the ”stomach-brain” test to trade your only asset……..again unless you get a massive haul.

Xramfan wrote: Wed Jan 28, 2026 8:41 pm To let Max go you better get a haul because otherwise you’re letting truly the defenses only real bright spot go in an otherwise weak group. He will need to be replaced and I remember somebody saying,”Good pass rushers are hard to find” after letting Mack go. Doesn’t pass the ”stomach-brain” test to trade your only asset……..again unless you get a massive haul.

Agree with you, but...the franchise is at an all-time low. I wish we were bringing in the new (possible) franchise QB with a decent O-line but that line was the worst I have ever seen on the Raiders and I have been watching for 56 seasons. To build a good line and get some impact players on defense along with depth, I think we have to be a bit aggressive in terms of getting rid of our best, but aging, players. I would not like to see Mendoza struggle (and get the stuffing beat out of him) like Jim Plunkett did with New England coming out as the Heisman winner from Stanford.

I'm not going to bother trying to convince anyone that we need to keep Maxx, because he's pissed enough people off and there are some entrenched views. However keeping Maxx will have zero impact on whether we can give Mendoza (and Jeanty) a really good oline. We have cap space and draft picks and have some players on the roster to build upon. Fixing the oline will not be a challenge, as long as they choose to address it - which they did not in 2025.

Trading Maxx wouldn’t be just to help with O-line, it’s to get assets that can be used for any position. So use FA first (starting in March) then have extra draft picks. But please — no more head cases like Arnette, Chandler Jones, and Christian Wilkins.

chucker wrote: Thu Jan 29, 2026 6:19 am I'm not going to bother trying to convince anyone that we need to keep Maxx, because he's pissed enough people off and there are some entrenched views. However keeping Maxx will have zero impact on whether we can give Mendoza (and Jeanty) a really good oline. We have cap space and draft picks and have some players on the roster to build upon. Fixing the oline will not be a challenge, as long as they choose to address it - which they did not in 2025.

Agree with that, also would add that the biggest O line failure in 2025 was not playing the young guys to find out what we have.

chucker wrote: Thu Jan 29, 2026 6:19 am I'm not going to bother trying to convince anyone that we need to keep Maxx, because he's pissed enough people off and there are some entrenched views. However keeping Maxx will have zero impact on whether we can give Mendoza (and Jeanty) a really good oline. We have cap space and draft picks and have some players on the roster to build upon. Fixing the oline will not be a challenge, as long as they choose to address it - which they did not in 2025.

You don't consider signing cappa addressing it?

chucker wrote: Thu Jan 29, 2026 6:19 am I'm not going to bother trying to convince anyone that we need to keep Maxx, because he's pissed enough people off and there are some entrenched views. However keeping Maxx will have zero impact on whether we can give Mendoza (and Jeanty) a really good oline. We have cap space and draft picks and have some players on the roster to build upon. Fixing the oline will not be a challenge, as long as they choose to address it - which they did not in 2025.

IF Maxx is a Raider, I hope to goodness they FINALLY give him a f’n bookend. Raider D may not get a lot of love in this coming draft, but give him somethin’. I like the poetry of signing Mack. Right wrongs and have him retire a Raider.

raider_kin wrote: Thu Jan 29, 2026 7:03 am Agree with that, also would add that the biggest O line failure in 2025 was not playing the young guys to find out what we have.

I think the failures started before that when the only addition in FA was Cappa. Cappa + 2 third rounders is not a one year solution. The good thing is that the 2 third rounders might end up being long term solutions, unfortunately it's hard to evaluate that right now because Carroll didn't give them enough of a chance to prove what they can or can't do. This offseason, we have to treat them like depth/competition instead of actual answers.

GoodTimeCharlie wrote: Thu Jan 29, 2026 7:21 am IF Maxx is a Raider, I hope to goodness they FINALLY give him a f’n bookend. Raider D may not get a lot of love in this coming draft, but give him somethin’. I like the poetry of signing Mack. Right wrongs and have him retire a Raider.

We had one in Chassion, but the morons let him walk And Cappa is an epic failure & waste of a roster spot!

raider_kin wrote: Thu Jan 29, 2026 7:03 am Agree with that, also would add that the biggest O line failure in 2025 was not playing the young guys to find out what we have.

Yeah, No thanks to PC, I believe that when finally given the chance, a couple of our youngsters actually fared better than the older guys they were replacing. And hopefully, one or two more additions through free agency should suffice.

CBS Sports has a new story -- 15 players likely to be traded. Raiders have two on the list. Spoiler alert: Maxx and Geno.

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/tua- ... -released/

RunOverByHubbard wrote: Thu Jan 29, 2026 9:42 am CBS Sports has a new story -- 15 players likely to be traded. Raiders have two on the list. Spoiler alert: Maxx and Geno.

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/tua- ... -released/

Everybody is tradable for the right price……everybody…….except Geno. Who in the world would trade for him knowing he will be dumped?