5 Raiders free agents Las Vegas needs to bring back

Casey Hayward, CB

Perhaps one of the best free agency signings that Mayock acquired this past year was cornerback Casey Hayward. After he was released by the Los Angeles Chargers, the Raiders stepped in and signed him to a one-year, $2.5 million deal.

Hayward played in every single game for Las Vegas, logging 46 combined tackles (three for loss), one interception and one safety. That interception was a timely one, as it arrived in the regular-season finale against his former team with a playoff berth on the line. In coverage, Hayward allowed 32 receptions for 427 yards and three touchdowns on 56 targets, per Pro Football Reference.

If the Raiders want to keep the defensive backfield stable, they would be wise to re-sign Hayward.

K.J. Wright, LB

K.J. Wright spent the entirety of his career with the Seattle Seahawks. Despite the fact that he entered free agency at the opening of the 2021 league year, he went unsigned. But just before the start of the regular-season, Wright signed a one-year, $3.5 million deal with the Raiders, and reunited with former defensive coordinator Gus Bradley.

Wright played all 17 regular-season games, recording 51 combined tackles and two tackles for loss.

Given that this Raiders team did make the playoffs, it would be a smart decision to bring back players who helped. What would it take to bring Wright back for the 2022 season and perhaps longer? Spotrac projects Wright’s market value to be at $7.1 million in annual salary, with a potential deal being two-years for $14.4 million.

Again, this will all depend on what the new general manager (and potentially new head coach) wants to do with the roster heading into the new league year.