What is the story about?
Las Vegas have players such as JJ Pegues, Brandon Cleveland, Brodric Martin, and Greg Smith the Raiders could likely be pushed away from a nose tackle signing. Las Veags won’t hold a nose tackle on the field more than 18-22% of the time.
NT Austin Johnson, Jacksonville Jaguars
- Johnson is someone I have linked to the Raiders for a while, largely because of his connection with former DC Patrick Graham. Johnson, is a traditional NT at 6’4/315. Johnson hasn’t eclipsed more than 10 pressures outside 2 of his 11 years in the NFL, though he’s stayed as a quality run defender. In 2025, Johnson who turned 32 in May, logged 19 tackles, a FF, PBU, sack, and 11 run stops in 207 snaps. His 207 snaps were the lowest of his career since 2019, but he’s remained a stout run defender. Should Las Vegas be not enthusiastic with their roster, or wants to add a veteran for competition & depth during camp, then Johnson who’s logged over 3700 snaps in his career outlines as a good option for them going forward.
NT Greg Gaines, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Gaines, who also turned 30 in May, is coming off a 2025 season with the Buccaneers with 23 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 4 TFL, and 8 pressures along with 14 run stops. His 14 run stops were the highest of his career since 2022 with the Rams, and he did also log the highest pass rush win rate of his career since 2021 at 7.8% (8.2% in 2021 where he randomly had 5.5 sacks, 46 pressures, and 11 QB hits). Gaines has remained a quality run defender in a rotation with the Buccaneers behind Vita Vea. Gaines is a tad undersized at 6’1/315, but similar to Johnson provides something that Las Vegas could be seeking if their unit disappoints, or they want more competition. Gaines has history with GM John Spytek from a season in Tampa Bay, and Gaines also has carved out nearly 3500 snaps in his career as a true run defender where he’s finished inside the top 30 for run stop win rate 4 years since his rookie season in 2019.
DL Jihad Ward, Tennessee Titans
- Ward saw his best career season in 2025, under now Raiders DL coach Travis Smith, who also coached him in Oakland. The 6’5, 280 pound defensive lineman rotated between 5/7-Tech and some inside work at 3/4-Tech. He was a standout defensive tackle for the Titans, and logged 31 tackles, 7 TFL, 5 sacks, 4 PBU, and 22 QB hits along with 47 pressures, 18 run stops, and a 14.8% pass rush win rate. Ward will turn 32 in May, and he’s shown versatility along the defensive line that would add more depth to the Raiders defensive front, which does have depth, but lacks someone who can rotate between EDGE/IDL and play consistently. Ward is a traditional true pass rusher, has gotten better at the back half of his career, and likely wouldn’t be overly expensive. The Raiders could slot Ward in across from Adam Butler/Tonka Hemingway and he won’t eat snaps from younger lineman looking to develop.
ILB Matt Milano, Buffalo Bills
- Milano, 31, has history working with Raiders senior assistant Al Holcomb, and Milano has struggled to catch on after an injury in 2022. The 6’0/224 pounder logged 67 tackles, 7 TFL, 7 QB Hits, 3.5 sacks, and a FF in 12 games with the Bills, after playing just 9 games from 2022 & 2023. Milano missed 16% of his tackles, allowed a 104.9 QBR, and simply has looked stiff with limited movement in space. The Raiders added Nakobe Dean & Quay Walker, but both have their injury histories. Milano likely isn’t someone who can play more than a spot start, or rotate into the room, but with Las Vegas heavily lacking depth especially veteran depth, have a higher floor. The Raiders have a very young linebacker room, but if an injury to Walker/Dean occurs the room becomes pretty concerning in terms of athleticism, and ability to blitz.
ILB Shaq Thompson, Buffalo Bills
- Thompson, like Milano, spent almost his entire career with Al Holcomb, and he saw a rebound season in 2025, where he logged 22 stops, allowed an 89.5 QBR, 56 tackles, 7 TFL, a sack, 2 PBU, 3 FF, and 4 QB hits in 12 games (545 snaps). Thompson is also undersized, but he’s bounced back well after an injury in 2023 returning relatively to form as a coverage linebacker, but he’s seen a higher rate of missed tackles. Thompson provides a higher floor as a run defender, and his coverage skills would slot into the Las Vegas defense as a strong rotational linebacker, or spot starter in case of injury. Thompson turned 32 in April, is coming off a relatively strong season as a 31 year old, and as mentioned with other linebackers gives Las Vegas a better floor to the room while also letting younger linebackers develop.
ILB Germaine Pratt, Indianapolis Colts
- Pratt has a good connection with DC Rob Leonard, despite being released after 4 games in 2025 due to a disagreement with HC Pete Carroll. Pratt went on to finish the season with 126 tackles, 6 TFL, 11 PBU, 2 FF, and 2 FR along with an interception. Pratt saw a return to his pre 2023 form, and also logged a career low in missed tackle rate (5.4%), allowed a 88.9 QBR (also a career high), and showed the ability to still be a quality starting linebacker at the NFL level. Pratt’s relationship with Leonard remains high, and as mentioned with others before him, the Raiders likely need to add another body to the room that can maintain an ability to spot start, or start in three linebacker sets. Pratt is also former teammates with LB Segun Olubi, who came to Las Vegas after his time with Indianapolis the last three seasons. Pratt’s ability to play in a cover three system is crucial, he defends the run well, can blitz, and has shown an ability to be a quality coverage linebacker as well.
ILB Elandon Roberts, Las Vegas Raiders
- Roberts is not great in coverage, as most saw last season, though the veteran linebacker is a quality run defender, can blitz, and stays healthy having appeared in all but 1 game since 2021. He’s coming off a 2025 season with 90 tackles, 7 TFL, a QB hit, PBU, and FR while also logging 38 run stops. Roberts saw his missed tackle rate jump to numbers of that in 2021 at 17.3% and he also allowed a 137.5 QBR on 22 receptions, 231 yards, and 2 TD off 27 targets. Roberts is undersized, he’s 32, but he’s a stout consistent veteran linebacker with an ability to play the run. The Raiders could be seeking depth, and someone with experience in a system similar to that of Rob Leonard would be a valuable addition. Roberts won’t wow anyone, but he can play both a MIKE & WILL, allows Las Vegas more depth in case of injury, and can also be used in clear run down situations with good run fits.
SAF Ifeatu Melifonwu, Miami Dolphins
- Las Vegas did add to their secondary drafting Treydan Stukes to take the FS role, and Dalton Johnson to provide depth as a nickel cornerback, free safety, and strong safety versatile fit. Additionally, Jeremy Chinn returns as a starter at strong safety and nickel, with Isaiah Pola-Mao a depth option in that same role. Melifonwu, a former 3rd rounder out of Syracuse by the Lions in 2021, has bounced between Detroit and Miami, but saw a career high 549 snaps in 2025. The brother of former Raiders safety, Obi Melifonwu, is also to no surprise an athletic freak and in 2025 through 16 games posted an interception, 3 PBU, 55 tackles, and 2 TFL. He also allowed 19 receptions, 167 yards, 2 TD, a 102.7 QBR, and dropped 2 interceptions. Melifonwu has an impressive frame at 6’3/215, he plays the run well, but will need to clean up tackles, and he’s versatile. The 27 year old has 214 career snaps at CB, 251 in the slot, 594 as a FS, 302 as a SS, and 240 as a nickel linebacker. Las Vegas values size & versatility in their secondary, and with a rather young room, he provides them the ability to have a consistent depth safety who can work in multiple front should injury happen.
