Raiders 2023 free agency tracker: Austin Hooper has chance to start at tight end

NFL free agency is off and running, and we’re keeping track of every major signing, trade and release of the 2023 offseason, with analysis from our NFL Nation reporters and grades from our experts. The new league year began March 15 at 4 p.m. ET, which means free-agent signings can be made official after that. The first round of the 2023 NFL draft begins April 27 on ESPN.

The Raiders entered free agency starting over at quarterback, as they released Derek Carr after nine years with the organization. Second-year coach Josh McDaniels and general manager Dave Ziegler are looking to put their mark on a team that struggled to a 6-11 record in a 2022 season that was filled with close, heartbreaking defeats. While Las Vegas has brought in reinforcements for a defense that was 28th in the league last season, its biggest splashes so far have come on offense.

Here’s a breakdown of every 2023 NFL free agent signing by the Las Vegas Raiders, and how each will impact the upcoming season:

Brian Hoyer, quarterback

The Raiders signed the veteran quarterback to a two-year contract.

What it means: All three quarterbacks on the Raiders’ roster — Jimmy Garoppolo, Chase Garbers and, now, Hoyer — have experience in coach Josh McDaniels’ system. And unless someone they love enough to take early in the draft presents himself, Las Vegas probably looks elsewhere to fill roster holes with its first-round pick, especially if they stay put at No. 7 overall. Hoyer, who had three different tours of duty with the Patriots (2009-11, 2018 and 2020-22), was with McDaniels for the latter two. He has started 40 of the 76 games in which he has played over a 14-year NFL career and has thrown for 10,668 yards with 53 touchdown passes and 35 interceptions for a passer rating of 82.9 while completing 59.4% of his attempts.

What’s the risk: Little. The prototypical backup, Hoyer is coming in to help Garoppolo with the transition. Any risk would be in assuming he would overtake Garoppolo for the starting gig. It’s all about trust in the Raiders’ QB Room now, trust in McDaniels and in his system … and vice-versa. You just have to wonder if all the QBs on the roster are peeking over their shoulder at the newest member of the WNBA champion Las Vegas Aces ownership group to see if Tom Brady is staying in shape in case a certain somebody gets injured. Yeah, Raiders owner Mark Davis is also the Aces owner.

DeAndre Carter, wide receiver

The Raiders signed Carter, who played for the Los Angeles Chargers last season, to a contract.

What it means: The conspiracy theorist would say the Raiders are prepping for life without slot receiver Hunter Renfrow, a frequent target of trade rumors this offseason. The apologist might say the Raiders are simply making a strength even stronger. Yes, Carter is the fifth receiver signed by Las Vegas in free agency, including returner Keelan Cole. Carter started seven of the 17 games he appeared in last season for the Chargers, going for career highs in catches (46), yards (538) and TD catches (3). He is also a skilled return man, averaging 11.7 yards per punt return last season, 22.3 yards in his career on kickoffs.

What’s the risk: The Raiders already have an All-Pro in Davante Adams, a legit No. 2 in signee Jakobi Meyers and, well, Renfrow, whom coach Josh McDaniels said is expected to have a big year … if healthy. So many receiver additions make many wonder why? And if the receiver room is too crowded, it might be subtraction by addition, right

Alex Bars, guard

The Raiders re-signed Bars to a contract.

What it means: The Raiders have now brought back the starting right side of their offensive line — they earlier re-signed tackle Jermaine Eluemunor — and having already re-signed tackle Brandon Parker and second-year OL Thayer Munford, perhaps taking an offensive lineman early in the draft is off the table. As noted before, the Raiders O-line was a pleasant surprise last season, though pre-snap penalties were an issue.

What’s the risk: Literally, none. Bars, who started a career-high 14 games last season, was a road-grader at right guard who helped Josh Jacobs become the first Raider to lead the NFL in rushing since Marcus Allen in 1985. Bars was more than solid last season and with continuity being important, the line should only benefit from his return, especially if it has improved enough that he has to compete for his old gig.