The NFL has three types of free agents, unrestricted, restricted, and exclusive rights free agents. Unrestricted free agents are those with 4 or more accrued seasons and on an expired contract. Restricted free agents is a player with three accrued seasons, and while free to negotiate and sign with any team there are a variety of qualifying offers (“tenders”) that teams can offer them. For restricted free agents, these tenders allow players to negotiate and other teams to sign them to offer sheets,
but their current club is allowed to match and thus the player must remain with their current program.
- First Round Tender: One year contract worth higher of a set rate (8.1M) or 110% previous years salary, if original team doesn’t match an offer sheet the new signing team will send them their first round pick of that season.
- Second Round Tender: One year contract worth higher of a set rate (5.81M) or 110% previous years salary, if original team doesn’t match an offer sheet the new signing team will send them their second round pick of that season.
- Original Round Tender: One year contract worth higher of a set rate (3.71M) or 110% previous years salary, if original team doesn’t match an offer sheet the new signing team will send them the original round of that players selection. If player is an undrafted free agent, no compensation is returned
- Right of First Refusal Tender: One year contract worth 3.54 million, if original team doesn’t match an offer sheet they receive no draft compensation.
Restricted Free Agents:
C Jordan Meredith: Original Round Tender Placed
Meredith, a former UDFA, would not return the Raiders and draft capital if he’s signed elsewhere, and it’s possible he would have interest. His projected market value is a 2 year, 7.5 million contract just below the original round tender value. Meredith has logged time at both guard spots and center. In 2024, Meredith logged his time at guard playin in 399 snaps allowing 0 sacks, 10 pressures, and having a 2.5% pressure rate. Meredith also led the Raiders with 4.85 yards per carry when lead blocking, while ranking as a top 15 guard in the NFL per PFF. Meredith did receive interest in free agency from multiple teams but decided to return to the Raiders as an RFA before exploring the market. The Raiders shifted Meredith to center in 2025, a position he never played in his career, and he struggled allowing 4 sacks, 2 hits, and 21 pressures with a 4.8% pressure rate. Meredith posted just 3.73 yards per carry when lead blocking, fourth on the Raiders, and had one of the highest pressure rates among centers. Meredith was replaced in week 13 by Alex Cappa, but with a new offensive staff coming in, that is running a system similar to that of the 2024 Raiders, it’s possible that Meredith could push as a backup offensive line option. The Raiders lack interior offensive line depth, and while Meredith struggled at center, he’s shown the ability to be a quality swing guard and the Raiders will likely let him compete.
IDL Thomas Booker: Original Round Tender Placed
Booker, 6’3/301 was acquired from the Eagles for cornerback Jakorian Bennett, and at the time the trade appeared confusing but Booker did perform well for Las Vegas. The 26 year old logged 44 tackles, 2 TFL, seven quarterback hits, and five pass breakups along with a forced fumble. Booker added 31 pressures, a 9% win rate, and generated 7 created sacks. He struggled as a run defender, heavily getting pushed out of place but was also asked to play more of a 2 shaded nose tackle, a role that he doesn’t fit and hasn’t played at any point in his career. The former 5th rounder, played 600 snaps this season, and in a year with a down market at defensive tackle, teams could be seeking the services of young defensive lineman with upside. Booker has a projected market value of a 1 year, 5.23 million contract above the original round tender, and if signed elsewhere nets the Raiders a 5th round selection in 2026.
