English
Español
Deutsch
The 2026 NFL free agent class is loaded at linebacker this off-season, the top options such as Demario Davis, Devin Lloyd, Nakobe Dean, Devin Bush, Leo Chenal, and Quay Walker are talked about consistently. Additionally, Bears linebacker Tremaine Edmunds has been listed as a possible trade target. That said, the class is loaded top to bottom with depth that can contribute instantly. The Raiders desperately need to address their linebacker core and this off-season is a year with top options to address.
Kaden Elliss, Atlanta Falcons
Market Value: 3 years, 36 million (12M AAV) with 21M guaranteed
The brother of Patriots LB Christian Elliss, who the Raiders attempted to sign last off-season, is slated to be a free agent this year. Elliss, 6’2, 240, broke out with the Falcons after a strong 2022 season. In the last three seasons he’s eclipsed 100 tackles in each of them with 10+ TFL in two of the three. In his last three seasons he’s posted 380 tackles, 29 TFL, 32 quarterback hits, 12.5 sacks, two interceptions, 12 PBU, 2 FF, and has allowed a 94.3 QBR with just 6 touchdowns allowed. Elliss has appeared in 17 games in four straight seasons, rarely even getting banged up at the position. He’s an effective run defending LB who also makes a ton of impact as a blitzing threat. He will turn 31 in July, and likely has another 2-3 seasons in him before he sees a decline. Elliss has the ability to line up as a traditional 7 technique and rush the passer, while also playing well between the hashes at linebacker. The veteran could look to stay in Atlanta under DC Jeff Ulbrich, but he’ll have a strong market, and is currently expected to test free agency.
Alex Anzalone, Detroit Lions
Market Value: 2 years, 15 million (7.5M AAV) with 12M guaranteed
Anzalone, 6’3, 235 turns 32 in September and is coming off a 2025 where he logged 95 tackles, 4 TFL, 6 QB hits, 2.5 sacks, an interception, and nine breakups. Anzalone also is coming off his best coverage season since 2022 where he allowed just a 58.2% rating, 310 yards, two touchdowns, and a 78.6 QBR. Anzalone is a sure tackler, missing more than 10 in just two of his last five seasons (15 and 22) with a career 10.5% mark. Anzalone has been an anchor for the Lions defense, consistently providing high impacts vs the run, and being a suitable linebacker in coverage, though it’s never been his expertise. Anzalone is a veteran, and likely looks to stay on a competitive roster, but he could be pushed out with younger linebackers at a similar level also available.
Quincy Williams, New York Jets
Market Value: 2 years, 12 million (6M AAV) with 7.5M guaranteed
If you asked me right now, on March 1st, I’d expect Quincy Williams to sign with the Falcons, Cowboys, or Titans, but I’m still going to note him here. The 5’11, 230-pound 29 year old missed time in 2025 with just 13 games logged. He struggled heavily in his first season with Aaron Glenn posting 83 tackles, 8 TFL, 5 QB hits, and seven breakups but prior to 2025 was coming off four straight seasons with 110+ tackles & 10 + TFL including 15 in both 2023 and 2024. Williams is also coming of his worse coverage season allowing a 73% completion rate, 373 yards, five touchdowns, and a career worse 129.9 QBR. Williams has been a standout linebacker in his previous four seasons, has missed 11.4% of tackles in his career, and consistently been among the top run defending linebackers in the NFL. While Williams likely has three teams he’s likely to land at, the Raiders would be smart banking on him to return to form outside of Aaron Glenn’s system.
Shaq Thompson, Buffalo Bills
Market Value: 2 years, 8 million (4M AAV) with 5.8M guaranteed
The 6’0, 230-pound 31 year old turns 32 in April and Thompson has been a formidable linebacker in his career but seen a dip over the last two seasons. Thompson appeared in just 6 games between 2023 and 2024 and 12 in 2025 with injuries finally catching up to him. Thompson joined the Bills in 2025 posting 56 tackles, 6 TFL, a sack, and 2 breakups in a nice rebound year under current Raiders assistant Al Holcomb who also coaches Thompson in Carolina. Thompson had his worse career season in coverage allowing an 88% rate, 151 yards, a touchdown, and 105.2 QBR though he’s allowed a career 90 QBR in his career. Additionally, Thompson has a career 9.6% missed tackle rate, and clear cut veteran leadership. Overall, Thompson isn’t the same player he was 4-5 years ago but he’s a formidable high floor linebacker that the Raiders would need to add to a room with likely younger players needing a veteran presence.
Christian Rozeboom, Carolina Panthers
Market Value: 3 years, 18 million (6M AAV) with 13.4M guaranteed
Rozeboom, a South Dakota State alumni went undrafted in 2021 joining the Rams after a stint with the Chiefs. Rozeboom, 29 years old, has an NFL frame at 6’3, 230 and is a phenomenal athlete as well. At 29 years old, he’s slated to cash in on two strong seasons having recorded 257 tackles, 12 TFL, 3 QB hits, 3 sacks, two interceptions, nine breakups, and a forced fumble in the last two seasons. Rozeboom has been strong in coverage as well allowing a 90.2 QBR in the last two seasons, though he’s also struggled with inconsistency’s tackling having a 12.2% rate in 2025 but just a 8.2% rate in 2024. Rozeboom has shown he’s a starting caliber linebacker the last two seasons, while providing ST depth, and does have a connection with Raiders ST coordinator Joe DeCamillis. He’s a high instinct run defending first linebacker, who’s consistently stayed healthy, and also shows some positives in coverage.
Justin Strnad, Denver Broncos
Market Value: 2 years, 12 million (6M AAV) with 8M guaranteed
Strnad is just 29 years old, has an impressive 6’3, 240 frame, and is hitting free agency for the first time this off-season. Strnad or Singleton, and possibly both, could be out in Denver as they transition to other linebackers, and there’s a shot they land in Buffalo but Strnad should have a strong market after his 2025 season. Strnad has been a special teams standout through his career before getting a defensive chance in 2024 and 2025 posting 131 tackles, 14 TFL, 7.5 sacks, an interception, and nine breakups through 33 games with 17 starts. He’s been strong in coverage allowing a career 81.9 QBR and displays good athleticism, strong tackling, and a knack for the football. Strnad hasn’t had true experience at linebacker playing just 1567 snaps across his career including 316 in 2021, but he’s shown flashes of being a standout linebacker at the NFL level. The Raiders need a new linebacker core, and banking on a young upcoming player isn’t a bad idea.
Matt Milano, Buffalo Bills
Market Value: 1 year, 3.5 million fully guaranteed
Milano has struggled with injures since his All-Pro season in 2022 having just played 9 games in 2023 and 2024, and 12 in 2025. Milano has experience under Raiders assistant Al Holcomb from the recent stretch in Buffalo, and is coming off 67 tackles, 7 TFL, 6 QB hits, 3.5 sacks, and a forced fumble in 2025. He’ll turn 32 in July and Milano has spent his entire career in Buffalo but it seems he’s likely headed elsewhere this season. Additionally, Milano has always remained an elite coverage linebacker, and that hasn’t changed last year despite injuries and aging. Milano’s fit follow Al Holcomb, and while he could seek a competitive team, or return to Buffalo, Las Vegas can benefit from bringing in a veteran with high end experience to help develop young linebackers and other free agents, especially at a low price point.
Alex Singleton, Denver Broncos
Market Value: 2 years, 12 million (6M AAV) with 9.2M guaranteed
Singleton, 32, is likely to cash in for what could be the final time in his career. The former Montana State product, has spent time in the CFL before appearing in the NFL, and likely coming off one of his best seasons in 2025. Singleton logged 135 tackles, 3 TFL, a sack, and four breakups and in every year since 2020 has posted 100+ tackles including 177 in 2023 and 166 in 2022. Singleton has his struggles in coverage, with a career 108 QBR allowed including a career worse 123 in 2025 with another career worse 629 yards allowed. Singleton, is a run focused linebacker, does a sound job tackling, and displays high level instincts against the run. Las Vegas needs to explore routes to bring high floor players, which includes someone like Singleton who’s likely out in Denver.
Troy Andersen, Atlanta Falcons
Market Value: 1 year, 1.5 million with 1 million guaranteed
Andersen hasn’t lived up to his 2nd round selection in 2022 out of Montana State, but the 26 year old still remains an intriguing option. He’s 6’4, 245 with elite athleticism. Andersen missed all of 2025 with an injury, and in his three seasons prior logged just 26 games posting 135 tackles, 6 TFL, 5 QB hits, a sack, interception, touchdown, two forced fumbles, and two breakups through 905 snaps. Andersen has been a sound tackler in his limited snaps, missing just 8% of his attempts, while also being a strong coverage linebacker due to his instincts and athleticism. There’s a path for Andersen to become the player he was during his time in college at the NFL level, but he’s a full developmental signing. The Raiders need linebackers, and Andersen is a smart option to attempt and tap into athleticism & production.
Drake Thomas, Seattle Seahakws – Restricted Free Agent
Market Value: 2 years, 18 million (9M AAV) with 12M guaranteed
The 5’11, 230 pound former NC State standout is close with Rob Leonard, and could help him get lured out of Seattle as an RFA. While Seattle would have the right to retain Thomas and match his contract, they could also receive draft compensation if they place a 2nd round tender on Thomas. The former Raiders UDFA, posted 96 tackles, 10 TFL, 7 QB Hits, 3.5 sacks, an interception, and eight breakups in 2025 and at just 25 years old, he’s likely looking to cash in soon for his breakout seasons. Thomas has been an exceptional athlete and despite his frame, a consistent impact linebacker against the run while flashing good coverage skills as well. It’s tough seeing Seattle letting Thomas leave with how well he performed given the opportunity, and being an RFA makes it unlikely in general. Teams try to nab RFA’s each season, and Thomas should be one that consistently gets looks this year.