The Las Vegas Raiders are making moves to fortify their roster depth, and this offseason's focus has been squarely on the defensive side of the ball. After adding a talented crop of defensive backs—including Treydan Stukes, Dalton Johnson, Hezekiah Masses, and Jermod McCoy—along with defensive tackle Brandon Cleveland and EDGE rusher Keyron Crawford, the Silver and Black aren't stopping there. A handful of undrafted free agents (UDFAs) are now looking to carve out a spot on the team, bringing a mix of grit and potential to the desert.

Last season, the Raiders saw UDFAs like Greedy Vance and Jahfari Harvey take meaningful snaps, proving that the path from undrafted to impactful player is alive and well. This year, the undrafted class is headlined by Cian Slone, Xavian Sorey, and Maine standout Chris Thomas—three players with the tools to push for a roster spot in 2026. Among the most intriguing prospects is defensive lineman Treven Ma'Ae, who will be looking to follow in the footsteps of those before him.

One name to watch is nose tackle Gary Smith III out of UCLA. Standing at 6'1" and tipping the scales at 319 pounds, Smith brings a run-stopping-first mentality to the trenches. After sitting out the 2024 season, he returned in 2025 and showed flashes of the power that made him a 50-game college veteran. With 111 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles on his résumé, Smith is built to anchor. His lower-body strength is undeniable—he has powerful feet and a knack for holding his ground against double teams.

However, Smith isn't without limitations. Despite his size, he lacks ideal length and doesn't always play with the leverage you'd expect from a 6'1" lineman. His pass-rush arsenal is limited, and while he has a quick first step, his second move often falls flat. Hand combat and form tackling need refinement, and his overall athleticism raises questions about his ceiling at the next level. Smith projects best as a true 0/1 technique (lining up directly over the center or between the guard and center), though he spent most of his college career as a 2/3 technique (over the guard or tackle).

For Raiders fans, Smith is a classic "bull in a china shop" run defender—great for short-yardage situations but a work in progress as a pass rusher. The competition for a roster spot may not be the stiffest, but Smith will need to show he can adapt and grow. With the right coaching, he could become a valuable rotational piece on a defense that's quietly building some serious depth.