Official Moves Fill Gaps for the Las Vegas Raiders

As the Las Vegas Raiders look to solidify their status as AFC contenders, the team’s front office has executed a series of strategic official moves—from free agent signings to draft picks and practice squad elevations—that directly address key gaps in the roster. These moves aren’t random adjustments; they’re carefully calculated to fix longstanding weaknesses, such as offensive line depth and secondary versatility, while building on existing strengths like the pass rush and running game. In a league where roster balance often determines playoff success, the Raiders’ official moves have turned potential liabilities into assets, giving the team a more complete look heading into critical stretches of the season. Official Moves Fill Gaps for the Las Vegas Raiders breaks down the most impactful of these moves, the positions they target, and how they’re shaping the Raiders’ path to contention.

One of the most critical official moves the Raiders made to fill a gap was signing free agent offensive guard Greg Van Roten during the offseason. The Raiders entered the year with uncertainty at right guard, after the departure of veteran Alex Bars in free agency, and Van Roten—who has 76 career starts with teams like the New York Jets and Carolina Panthers—was brought in to provide stability. Through the first 10 games of the season, Van Roten has started every contest, allowing just 1 sack and 3 quarterback pressures, while helping the Raiders’ run game average 4.8 yards per carry (ranking 8th in the NFL). “Greg was exactly what we needed at guard,” said Raiders offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo. “He’s smart, he’s physical, and he knows how to communicate with the rest of the line—something that’s crucial for our run and pass protection.” The move also paid off in high-pressure situations: during a Week 8 win over the Detroit Lions, Van Roten’s block on a third-and-1 play cleared the way for Josh Jacobs’ 2-yard touchdown run, sealing the victory. Official Moves Fill Gaps for the Las Vegas Raiders emphasizes that Van Roten’s signing wasn’t just a stopgap—it was a long-term solution that fixed a persistent offensive line gap.

Another key official move to fill a gap came via the NFL Draft, where the Raiders selected cornerback Tyree Wilson with the 7th overall pick to address a need for a young, dynamic edge rusher. The Raiders had struggled to find consistent depth behind Chandler Jones and Maxx Crosby, often relying on rotational players who lacked game-changing ability. Wilson, a standout at Texas Tech with 14 sacks in his final college season, has quickly emerged as a reliable backup, recording 2 sacks, 1 forced fumble, and 15 tackles in a reserve role this season. What makes Wilson’s addition even more valuable is his versatility: he can line up as a traditional defensive end or shift inside to tackle in passing situations, giving defensive coordinator Patrick Graham more flexibility. “Tyree has exceeded our expectations,” Graham said. “He’s a quick learner, and he’s already making plays when we need him. Having him behind Chandler and Maxx means we can keep our pass rush fresh all game long.” Wilson’s draft selection also addresses a future gap, as it prepares the Raiders for the possibility of long-term roster changes at edge rusher. Official Moves Fill Gaps for the Las Vegas Raiders highlights that Wilson’s draft pick is a perfect example of the Raiders using official moves to fill both immediate and future gaps.

The Las Vegas Raiders also made a strategic official move to fill a gap in their secondary by elevating safety Isaiah Pola-Mao from the practice squad to the active roster midseason. The Raiders had been dealing with injuries to starting safeties Tre’von Moehrig and Johnathan Abram, leaving them thin at the position and vulnerable to deep passes. Pola-Mao, who spent his rookie season on the practice squad, stepped up immediately, recording 1 interception, 4 pass deflections, and 18 tackles in his first five games as a starter. His most impactful play came in a Week 11 win over the Denver Broncos, where he picked off a Russell Wilson pass in the end zone to prevent a touchdown—swinging momentum in the Raiders’ favor. “Isaiah earned this opportunity with his work on the practice squad,” said Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels. “He’s a physical player who isn’t afraid to make plays, and he’s helped stabilize our secondary during a tough stretch.” The Las Vegas Raiders’ decision to elevate Pola-Mao shows how official practice squad moves can be just as impactful as free agent signings or draft picks, especially when injuries create unexpected gaps. Official Moves Fill Gaps for the Las Vegas Raiders shows that the Las Vegas Raiders’ ability to find talent on their own practice squad demonstrates strong roster depth and scouting.

In addition to in-season moves, the Las Vegas Raiders made an official trade deadline move to fill a gap at tight end, acquiring Foster Moreau from the New Orleans Saints in exchange for a 2025 sixth-round draft pick. The Raiders had been lacking a reliable pass-catching tight end, with their previous options combining for just 12 catches and 1 touchdown through the first eight games. Moreau, who has 103 career catches and 12 touchdowns, quickly became a favorite target for Jimmy Garoppolo, recording 18 catches for 210 yards and 3 touchdowns in his first six games with the Raiders. His presence has also opened up the passing game for wide receivers Davante Adams and Hunter Renfrow, as defenses now have to account for Moreau over the middle. “Foster adds a dimension to our offense we didn’t have before,” said offensive coordinator Mick Lombardi. “He can block in the run game and catch passes in the passing game—something that makes us more unpredictable.” The Las Vegas Raiders’ trade for Moreau was a low-risk, high-reward move that addressed a clear gap without sacrificing future draft capital. Official Moves Fill Gaps for the Las Vegas Raiders underscores that the Las Vegas Raiders’ trade deadline move shows the front office’s willingness to be aggressive when it comes to filling critical roster gaps.

The final official move the Las Vegas Raiders made to fill a gap was re-signing veteran kicker Daniel Carlson to a four-year contract extension during the offseason, ensuring stability at a position that’s often overlooked but crucial to winning close games. Carlson had been playing on a one-year deal and was set to become a free agent, creating uncertainty at kicker—a gap that could have been costly given Carlson’s consistency (he made 93.5% of his field goals last season). The extension, which makes Carlson one of the highest-paid kickers in the NFL, locks in a player who has accounted for 42% of the Raiders’ points over the past three seasons. “Daniel is one of the best kickers in the league, and re-signing him was a priority for us,” said general manager Dave Ziegler. “Having a reliable kicker means we can feel confident in close games, and that’s a gap we didn’t want to have to fill next season.” The Las Vegas Raiders’ extension for Carlson also sends a message to the team’s fanbase that the front office values consistency and winning. Official Moves Fill Gaps for the Las Vegas Raiders concludes that the Las Vegas Raiders’ series of official moves—from free agent signings to draft picks, practice squad elevations, trades, and extensions—have successfully filled key roster gaps and positioned the team as a serious playoff contender. By addressing weaknesses with targeted, strategic moves, the Raiders have built a balanced, talented roster that can compete with the best teams in the AFC.