The Raiders did not dabble Monday. They attacked early and they kept swinging. After making their first splash with Raven’s center Tyler Linderbaum, reports say Las Vegas added more help across the roster and locked in a key returner in the secondary.
Most of the reported deals cannot become official until the new league year begins March 11 at 1 p.m. PT. Still, the pace said plenty about the plan: raise the floor, add speed and stop leaking easy yards.
Linderbaum leads the charge, Nailor brings Vegas home
Linderbaum is the headline. Reports say the Raiders agreed to a three-year, $81 million deal with $60 million guaranteed for the three-time Pro Bowl center. He brings durability and calm to the pivot, and that matters for an offense that needs cleaner protection calls.
The Raiders also agreed to terms with wide receiver Viking’s Jalen Nailor, a Bishop Gorman alum who brings local juice and real vertical pop. Nailor has 69 career catches for 1,066 yards and 11 touchdowns. He averages 15.4 yards per catch, so defenses have to respect the deep ball.
Stokes stays and he sounds like he means it
Las Vegas did make one move official Monday by re-signing cornerback Eric Stokes. Stokes started 16 games last season and produced 53 tackles with five passes defensed. The Raiders also credited him with holding opposing quarterbacks to a 56.7 completion percentage and 9.7 yards per completion.
“I love it here,” Stokes said after signing his extension.
The middle gets faster, the edge gets louder
Reports say the Raiders targeted the middle of the defense with linebacker Packer’s Quay Walker and Eagle’s linebacker Nakobe Dean. If both deals close, Las Vegas adds range and tackling where offenses love to live. That should help the Raiders get off the field quicker and avoid long, draining drives.
Reports also say defensive end Kwity Paye is on the way, and the Raiders plan to bring back Malcolm Koonce. That combination points to a simple goal: create pressure without selling out.
Special teams get a veteran leg
Reports say former 49er kicker Matt Gay will join the roster as well. It is not the flashiest line item, but it fits the theme. The Raiders tried to eliminate weak links on Day 1, and they did it with volume and intent.
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Raiders sign Tyler Linderbaum, add Jalen Nailor in free agency
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Dice City Sports editor Mark Hebert covers the Vegas Golden Knights, Las Vegas Raiders, Athletics, and UNLV baseball and softball. He has 24 years of journalism experience, is also a senior reporter at Exhibit City News, and previously covered the Dallas Stars and Texas Rangers. Follow him on X or connect on LinkedIn.
