Author: Ryan McFadden

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Raiders have big plans for versatile vet Jeremy Chinn

Ryan McFaddenJun 8, 2025, 06:00 AM ET

CloseRyan McFadden covers the Las Vegas Raiders for ESPN’s NFL Nation. Prior to ESPN, McFadden was a Denver Broncos beat reporter for the Denver Post. McFadden also wrote about the Baltimore Ravens and University of Maryland athletics for The Baltimore Sun.Open Extended Reactions

HENDERSON, Nev. — When the Las Vegas Raiders signed safety Jeremy Chinn in March, they saw a player who could be a versatile chess piece in defensive coordinator Patrick Graham’s scheme.

Since entering the league in 2020, the 27-year-old has played multiple spots on defense — a trait he

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Without much proven production behind Jakobi Meyers, Raiders rookie WRs have a shot

Ryan McFaddenJun 4, 2025, 06:00 AM ET

CloseRyan McFadden covers the Las Vegas Raiders for ESPN’s NFL Nation. Prior to ESPN, McFadden was a Denver Broncos beat reporter for the Denver Post. McFadden also wrote about the Baltimore Ravens and University of Maryland athletics for The Baltimore Sun.Open Extended Reactions

HENDERSON, Nev. — It was a small sample size, but Dont’e Thornton Jr.’s potential was noticeable in the first week of the Las Vegas Raiders‘ OTAs last month.

During the team period of practice, quarterback Geno Smith rolled to his right before throwing an intermediate pass to

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Raiders OC Kelly, WR Meyers gush over QB Smith

Ryan McFaddenMay 29, 2025, 06:42 PM ET

CloseRyan McFadden covers the Las Vegas Raiders for ESPN’s NFL Nation. Prior to ESPN, McFadden was a Denver Broncos beat reporter for the Denver Post. McFadden also wrote about the Baltimore Ravens and University of Maryland athletics for The Baltimore Sun.Open Extended Reactions

HENDERSON, Nev. — The Las Vegas Raiders are in the second week of OTAs, and quarterback Geno Smith has already made a strong impression.

Just ask wide receiver Jakobi Meyers, whose face lit up with excitement when talking about his new teammate after Thursday’s practice.

Since Meyers entered

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Sources: Raiders’ Cole now NFL’s top-paid punter

Ryan McFaddenMay 26, 2025, 04:38 PM ET

CloseRyan McFadden covers the Las Vegas Raiders for ESPN’s NFL Nation. Prior to ESPN, McFadden was a Denver Broncos beat reporter for the Denver Post. McFadden also wrote about the Baltimore Ravens and University of Maryland athletics for The Baltimore Sun.Open Extended Reactions

The Las Vegas Raiders and two-time All-Pro punter AJ Cole have agreed to a four-year, $15.8 million contract extension with $11 million guaranteed, multiple sources told ESPN on Monday.

The deal makes Cole the highest-paid punter in the NFL.

Cole, 29, was entering the final season of his four-year, $12

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Carroll: Wilkins amid ‘long, challenging’ rehab

Ryan McFaddenMay 21, 2025, 05:02 PM ET

CloseRyan McFadden covers the Las Vegas Raiders for ESPN’s NFL Nation. Prior to ESPN, McFadden was a Denver Broncos beat reporter for the Denver Post. McFadden also wrote about the Baltimore Ravens and University of Maryland athletics for The Baltimore Sun.Open Extended Reactions

HENDERSON, Nev. — Las Vegas Raiders coach Pete Carroll was carefully optimistic when addressing the health of starting defensive tackle Christian Wilkins on Wednesday.

Following the team’s OTA practice, Carroll called Wilkins’ rehab from a Jones fracture in his left foot a “difficult” process, and the former <a data-clubhouse-guid="af33088b-1e19-d27d-dbc0-354fd7151703"

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Source: Raiders sign LB Smith, who sat out ’24

Ryan McFaddenMay 11, 2025, 06:03 PM ET

CloseRyan McFadden covers the Las Vegas Raiders for ESPN’s NFL Nation. Prior to ESPN, McFadden was a Denver Broncos beat reporter for the Denver Post. McFadden also wrote about the Baltimore Ravens and University of Maryland athletics for The Baltimore Sun.Open Extended Reactions

Jaylon Smith will attempt to resurrect his career in Las Vegas. The veteran linebacker is signing with the Raiders after a weekend tryout at rookie minicamp, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Sunday.

Smith, 29, last played in 2023, appearing in one game for the Raiders. He totaled

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From finding WR1 to upgrading the run game: Four keys Raiders need to address

Ryan McFaddenMar 17, 2025, 06:00 AM ET

CloseRyan McFadden covers the Las Vegas Raiders for ESPN’s NFL Nation. Prior to ESPN, McFadden was a Denver Broncos beat reporter for the Denver Post. McFadden also wrote about the Baltimore Ravens and University of Maryland athletics for The Baltimore Sun.Open Extended Reactions

HENDERSON, Nev. — Even though the Las Vegas Raiders went into free agency with plenty of money to spend, they didn’t break the bank on any of their signings during the first week.

Las Vegas watched five defensive starters find new homes and addressed those positions at a discounted rate. The

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Sources: Raiders reach deals with Chinn, Koonce

Ryan McFaddenMar 10, 2025, 04:41 PM ET

CloseRyan McFadden covers the Las Vegas Raiders for ESPN’s NFL Nation. Prior to ESPN, McFadden was a Denver Broncos beat reporter for the Denver Post. McFadden also wrote about the Baltimore Ravens and University of Maryland athletics for The Baltimore Sun.Open Extended Reactions

The Las Vegas Raiders addressed a couple of needs on defense, agreeing to deals with safety Jeremy Chinn and edge rusher Malcolm Koonce, sources told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler and John Keim.

Koonce agreed to a one-year, $12 million deal. The terms for Chinn’s deal weren’t made available,

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Source: Raiders, DT Butler have 3-year extension

Ryan McFaddenMar 9, 2025, 11:17 PM ET

CloseRyan McFadden covers the Las Vegas Raiders for ESPN’s NFL Nation. Prior to ESPN, McFadden was a Denver Broncos beat reporter for the Denver Post. McFadden also wrote about the Baltimore Ravens and University of Maryland athletics for The Baltimore Sun.Open Extended Reactions

Raiders defensive tackle Adam Butler has agreed to a three-year extension worth $16.5 million with $11 million in guarantees to remain in Las Vegas, a source told ESPN on Sunday.

In two seasons with the Raiders, Butler has totaled 93 tackles, 10 sacks and 16 quarterback hits. The 30-year-old

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