We’ve reached the free agency filing period of the 2026 offseason, and Athletics Daniel Popper released its Top 150 impending free agencies. Popper’s list included three Las Vegas Raiders: cornerback Eric Stokes, guard Dylan Parham and defensive end Malcolm Koonce. Let’s see what he had to say about each of them.
Eric Stokes
Rank: 47 (CB5)
A first-round pick with the Packers in 2021, Stokes hit free agency last offseason and had to settle for a one-year, $3.5 million deal with the Raiders. He played well in coordinator Patrick Graham’s scheme, and he’s now positioned for a more lucrative free agent deal. Stokes has length and speed. He is sticky in man coverage and can press at the line of scrimmage with his frame. He is an athletic dropper in the zone who is able to maintain vision on the quarterback while maintaining his positioning in coverage. Stokes could be more physical in run support, but he is not a liability in this phase. — Popper
Stokes is the biggest conundrum John Spytek will face when it comes to the Raiders’ internal free agents. The cornerback had a good year, but he also wasn’t tested much as the defense had issues at the other cornerback spot and in the middle of the field. So, it could come down to price, and Popper projects Stokes to land a two-year, $20 million contract this offseason. If that’s all it takes, it would be entirely reasonable to re-sign him.
Advertisement
Dylan Parham
Rank: 78 (G9)
Parham has quick feet to reflect rushers and get out of compromised positions as a pass protector. He lacks the pad level and power needed to generate consistent movement in the running game. The issues at the pad also show up in pass protection against bull runs. He loses balance and leverage too often, and he’s susceptible to TE stunts. He lacks feeling and awareness in these situations. — Popper
Even though Parham was a solid starter in Las Vegas, it felt like the team was constantly waiting for him to take the next step, and that never happened. The 2022 third-round pick is an average to above-average starter, and the Raiders should look to upgrade in free agency, in my opinion.
Maclolm Koonce
Rank: 81 (EDGE12)
Koonce is a disruptive passer who uses unorthodox hesitation moves. It puts the rushers to sleep then explodes. He’ll show up as a run defender, but he’s not consistent enough in that phase to be a true above-average starter. He projects best as a situational rusher who can come up for obvious handoffs. — Popper
Spytek gave Koonce a “prove-out” deal last year, allowing the pass-rusher to have the contract year that was stolen from him with the torn ACL ahead of the 2024 campaign. However, Koonce didn’t have the same explosiveness that helped him rack up eight sacks a few seasons ago. In other words, he hasn’t “proven” it, so it looks like the Raiders will likely move on from him this spring.
Advertisement
In other Raiders links:
-
Raiders don’t want to trade Maxx Crosby: “I was told the Raiders didn’t want to trade him and that if they did, it would be a Micah Parsons type package,” ESPN Adam Schefter said on 97.5 The Fanatics “Kincade and Salciunas”. “That’s what I’ve been told. Do I think they’ll get two points and a player? No. Do I think they’ll want to trade him? No. Do I think he’ll be traded? … It’ll change from week to week, but it’s certainly possible.”
-
Alex Cappa named potential salary cap victim: “One of the Raiders’ many mistakes last offseason was rushing to pay Cappa $5 million,” Athletics Ted Nguyen wrote. “He was coming off a season in which he played like one of the worst starting guards in the league, didn’t look much better last season and couldn’t help a struggling Raiders line. He’s set to make $6 million next year, but the Raiders can save $5 million ($1 million in dead cap) by cutting him and adding to their wealth of cap space.”
