john spytek
Getty
Las Vegas Raiders GM John Spytek.
The Las Vegas Raiders have been the biggest spenders of free agency to this point, and while some of the moves have been praised, not every signing is going to pan out. After trading star defensive end Maxx Crosby to the Baltimore Ravens, the team had a huge need at defensive end.
The Raiders decided to sign former Indianapolis Colts first-round pick Kwity Paye to a three-year, $48 million contract. Paye has been a decent player, but he only had 4.0 sacks last year and didn’t create much pressure. ESPN’s Seth Walder was not a fan of the move at all and gave the Raiders a “D+” grade for the move.
“I knew I was going to be down on Paye’s signing no matter what — and that was before I found out it was going to be at $16 million per year,” Walder wrote. “Paye ranked last in pass rush win rate among all qualifiers at edge, at just 4.5%. That’s a brutal number, especially when combined with a 12th percentile pressure rate. And he performed poorly in both numbers in 2024, too.
“Now, in the wake of the Maxx Crosby trade, the Raiders absolutely need pass rush. Paye will join Malcolm Koonce and Tyree Wilson in trying to get after opposing quarterbacks. And I endorse the Raiders going after an edge rusher, by all means! But there were better options.”
Walder Aruges Raiders Should’ve Signed Different DE
Paye isn’t a move that’s going to get fans too excited, but it wasn’t the strongest free agent class to find a pass rusher. That said, Walder does think there were other players the Raiders should’ve gone after.
“Paying a few million more per year to sign Boye Mafe would have been several multiples better. Going after K’Lavon Chaisson — maybe on a cheaper contract — would have been better,” Walder wrote. “I’m guessing Paye’s status as a 2021 first-round pick probably contributed to the contract, even if it shouldn’t have.
Las Vegas handed out a lot of money Monday, and this was one spot where it could have put it to better use.”
Chaisson is still a free agent, so he’s somebody the Raiders could still add. Mafe was suomebdoy head coach Klint Kubiak saw up close with the Seattle Seahawks last season, so it’s possible that he didn’t think he was worth the extra money. Regardless, Paye’s contract is easy to get out of after two seasons, so it’s not a huge risk for the Raiders.
Raiders Defense is Going to Look Different
Between the Taron Johnson, Quay Walker, Nakobe Dean and Paye additions, the Raiders defense is going to look very different in 2026. That’s not to mention that new defensive coordinator Rob Leonard is switching to a 3-4 base defense.
The Raiders’ defense wasn’t the team’s biggest problem, but it wasn’t a great unit. If most of these free agent signings pan out, then perhaps the defense could actually take a step forward despite losing Crosby. It could come down to how Leonard does in his first year calling defensive plays.