Marcus Epps

The Las Vegas Raiders started the 2023 free-agent period with over $39 million in cap space, which would come in handy for the silver and black. With gaping holes on defense and a farewell to the franchise quarterback, Derek Carr, who has been the starter since 2014, the Raiders had to get to work.Last week, we saw Las Vegas fill some of those vacancies, not only on defense but also snatching San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. This will be a new era for the Raiders franchise under second-year head coach Josh McDaniels. McDaniels has been on the hot seat since mid-season in 2022, with the turning point coming around week 7 when the offense was shut out against the New Orleans Saints. The following two weeks would not be any better, racking up consecutive losses against the Jaguars and the Colts. This led to angry fans within Raider Nation. Spectators would start bringing signs to games expressing their lack of support for Josh McDaniels (for a lack of better words). These fans would be removed from the new black hole in Vegas, and Raider Nation made their opinions known on social media that they are not happy. Without a doubt, this is McDaniels time to prove to Raider Nation that he and general manager Dave Ziegler have a plan that will lead the Raiders to a Super Bowl. Many critics are keeping a close eye on the Raiders this off-season because of the drastic changes that have been made by McDaniels after inheriting the team from former head coach Jon Gruden and interim head coach Rich Bisaccia, who led the team to an unlikely playoff berth in 2021. This will be the year to see what direction the Raiders are headed in for years to come. Here are the 2023 Las Vegas Raiders free agent signings to this point: Jakobi Meyers – WR Meyers signed a three-year season contract with the Las Vegas Raiders. In 2022, Meyers finished as the team’s leading receiver with over 67 catches for 804 yards and six touchdowns. Meyers has 168 receptions for 1,932 yards and nine touchdowns during his career. After his junior season, he entered the 2019 NFL Draft. Meyers’ 92 receptions in 2018 broke Torry Holt’s single-season record for NC State. Marcus Epps – FS On March 16, 2023, Epps signed a two-year contract with the Las Vegas Raiders.  In 2022, Epps reached Super Bowl LVII. In the Super Bowl, Epps recorded six tackles, but the Eagles lost 38-35 to the Kansas City Chiefs. Robert Spillane – MLB Spillane signed a two-year contract with the Raiders on March 16, 2023. He’s taking on a big responsibility in his new role as the middle linebacker, replacing pro-bowler Denzel Perryman. Spillane played middle linebacker for the Steelers since 2019. He previously played for the Tennessee Titans, who signed Spillane as an undrafted free agent in 2018. On March 11, 2022, the Steelers placed a restricted free-agent tender on Spillane, allowing the Raiders to sign him. Phillip Dorsett – WR On March 16, 2023, Dorsett signed a one-year contract with the Las Vegas Raiders. In the 2015 NFL Draft, Dorsett was 29th overall pick for the Indianapolis Colts. Given that Indianapolis already had depth at wide receiver, including the recently signed Andre Johnson and Duron Carter, the selection of Dorsett surprised many analysts and fans, and it reportedly infuriated several players who felt the team should have focused on a defensive player instead of Dorsett. Dorsett would bounce around the NFL and would play under Josh McDaniels in New England from 2017-2019, having arguably his most consistent seasons of his career. In 2021, Dorsett later signed with the Houston Texans after the Patriots declined his contract option.   Brandon Facyson – CB Brandon Facyson is back with the Las Vegas Raiders for his second stint. Signing a one-year contract with the silver and black. Facyson was a consistent defensive back amongst a struggling group for the Raiders in 2021. His 42 solo tackles and 1 interception with the Raiders was his career high before his departure to Indianapolis. OJ Howard – TE The former Alabama Crimson Tide tight end joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2017. He’s racked up 1,882 yards and 17 touchdowns since then. He went on to win his first Super Bowl ring with the Bucs despite not playing the game due to injury as Tampa Bay beat the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV. Now he will be paired with newly acquired tight end Austin Hooper this coming season. Jordan Willis -DT Willis signed with the Las Vegas Raiders on March 20, 2023 after playing with the 49ers in 2022. Willis also played for the Jets and Bengals before he was traded to the San Francisco 49ers for a sixth-round pick. As a true freshman at Kansas State in 2013, Willis played nine games and had one sack. As a sophomore in 2014, he started all 13 games with 26 tackles and 4.5 sacks. As a senior, he was named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year after recording 52 tackles and 11.5 sacks. Jimmy Garoppolo – QB On March 17, 2023, Jimmy G signed a contract with the Las Vegas Raiders for $67.5 million dollars. Garoppolo spent the last six seasons with the San Francisco 49ers where Garoppolo has a 5-2 record and a start in Super Bowl LIV. His biggest criticism has been his ability to stay healthy. Garoppolo played for the Eastern Illinois Panthers from 2010 to 2013. He was named the 2013–14 OVC Male Athlete of the Year and the 2013 College Football Performance FCS National Quarterback of the Year before being drafted by the New England Patriots where he too played for Josh McDaniels. Brian Hoyer – QB Just a few weeks after signing Jimmy G, the Raiders bought on board yet another former Patriot. This time calling on veteran quarterback Brian Hoyer to backup Garoppolo in Las Vegas. The Michigan State alumni…