\tSANTA CLARA, CA – FEBRUARY 08: Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) gets away from New England Patriots defensive end Milton Williams (97) during the Seattle Seahawks versus the New England Patriots Super Bowl LX game on February 8, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CA. (Photo by Jevone Moore\/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images\t<\/p>\n
Free agency is steadily approaching, and the Las Vegas Raiders are scheduled to hit the market with over $91 million<\/a> (second-most in the NFL) to improve the roster. That means new head coach Klint Kubiak can dive into his Rolodex of players that he\u2019s worked with in the past, and potentially sign them to play in Las Vegas. Keeping the Raiders\u2019 offseason needs in mind, let\u2019s explore a few upcoming free agents with ties to Kubiak.<\/p>\n RB Kenneth Walker III<\/strong><\/p>\n Kubiak connection:<\/em>2025 Seattle Seahawks<\/em><\/p>\n Walker is coming off a career year that culminated with the Super Bowl MVP award. He excelled in Kubiak\u2019s offense, recording a career-high 1,309 yards from scrimmage<\/a> during the regular season and then 417 more yards in the playoffs. The Raiders could use a second running back to pair with Ashton Jeanty, making it an option for Walker to continue to play for Kubiak. However, the veteran is expected to command top dollar in the running back market. While the Raiders have plenty of cap space, it\u2019d be more economical to sign a lower-profile rusher with Jeanty in the fold.<\/p>\n WR Rashid Shaheed<\/strong><\/p>\n Kubiak connection:<\/em>2024 New Orleans Saints, 2025 Seahawks<\/em><\/p>\n It\u2019s pretty clear that Kubiak is a big fan of Shaheed\u2019s game. The wideout only played in six games (20 catches, 349 yards and three touchdowns in those contests) for the coach in New Orleans, but that was enough for Seattle to trade for Shaheed last fall. In Vegas, the two-time Pro Bowler could easily become the team\u2019s top wide receiver and would give the return game a boost. The latter is how he\u2019s earned those All-Star bids. But is Shaheed enough of an upgrade over Tre Tucker to justify spending a lot of money on him? The answer to that question depends on how highly Kubiak thinks of the impending free agent.<\/p>\n EDGE Boye Mafe<\/strong><\/p>\n Kubiak connection:<\/em>2025 with Seahawks<\/em><\/p>\n Another former Seahawk, Mafe played on the opposite side of the ball as Kubiak. But the former offensive coordinator had to take note of the 40 pressures, per Pro Football Focus<\/a>, that the edge-rusher racked up during the regular season last year. The four-year veteran has 20 career sacks<\/a> and can play the run too, recording a 77.8 PFF run defense grade<\/a> in 2024. He\u2019d be a quality addition to line up on the other side of Maxx Crosby, or be part of the plan to replace Crosby if the five-time Pro Bowler gets traded<\/a>. <\/p>\n WR Jauan Jennings<\/strong><\/p>\n Kubiak connection: 2023 with San Francisco 49ers <\/em><\/p>\n In five years, Jennings went from being a seventh-round pick to leading the 49ers\u2019 wideouts in receiving yards over the last two seasons, racking up 975 and 643 yards in 2024<\/a> and 2025<\/a>, respectively. It also helps that he has the versatility to line up in the slot or out wide, recording 45 percent of his pass snaps at the former and 55 percent in the latter, per PFF<\/a>. However, the 28-year-old who turns 29 in July is on the older side and isn\u2019t the top-end talent the Raiders will likely be looking for. That could lessen the mutual interest between the impending free agent and rebuilding club. <\/p>\n CB Tariq Woolen<\/strong><\/p>\n Kubiak connection:<\/em>2025 with Seahawks<\/em><\/p>\n Ball skills are the name of Woolen\u2019s game, collecting 12 interceptions and 53 passes defended<\/a> since entering the NFL four years ago. That\u2019s enticing for a team like the Raiders since the defense has struggled to create turnovers over the last few seasons. But half of the 2022 fifth-rounder\u2019s picks came during his rookie season, and he hasn\u2019t been sticky in coverage, surrendering 1,662 yards and 17 touchdowns in four years, per PFF<\/a>. Especially if Eric Stokes doesn\u2019t re-sign, Woolen would fill a big need in Las Vegas\u2019 defensive backfield, though.<\/p>\n S Coby Bryant<\/strong><\/p>\n Kubiak connection:<\/em>2025 with Seahawks<\/em><\/p>\n Speaking of creating turnovers, Bryant switched from nickelback to safety ahead of the 2024 campaign and managed to record seven interceptions after changing positions. He also has seven forced fumbles and 17 PDs<\/a> in his career. Additionally, the four-year pro has posted PFF run defense grades of 79.5 and 70.3<\/a> during the last two regular seasons. Considering the Raiders could use an upgrade at free safety this offseason, Bryant should be one of their top priorities.<\/p>\n WR Deebo Samuel<\/strong><\/p>\n Kubiak connection:<\/em>2023 with 49ers<\/em><\/p>\n Samuel, who is known for his ability to contribute in both the running and passing games, has recorded over 1,000 yards and double-digit touchdowns from scrimmage twice in his career<\/a>. Once in 2021, and again in 2023, racking up 1,117 yards and 12 touchdowns in the latter. So, Kubiak has the inside track on how to get the most out of Samuel. The problem is that the 30-year-old hasn\u2019t looked like the player he was three years ago, and wouldn\u2019t fit the expected youth movement in the desert. <\/p>\n LB Alex Singleton<\/strong><\/p>\n Kubiak connection:<\/em>2022 with Denver Broncos<\/em><\/p>\n Singleton is another impending free agent whose age could be an issue for the Raiders, turning 32 last December. But if Kubiak uses his network to give his defense someone who can provide run support on the second level, the Bronco would be a good short-term option. Singleton was PFF\u2019s 12-highest graded run-defending linebacker (82.9<\/a>) during the regular season last year, and has earned marks in the mid-70s to low-80s<\/a> as a run defender since 2022. <\/p>\n