The Las Vegas Raiders are still scanning the free-agent market to shore up their defensive front, and with training camp battles heating up, a few veteran names stand out as ideal fits. While the Raiders already have young nose tackles like JJ Pegues, Brandon Cleveland, Brodric Martin, and Greg Smith on the roster, the team typically only uses a nose tackle for 18-22% of snaps—meaning there's room for a savvy veteran who can step in without demanding heavy playing time.
One familiar face is Brandon Johnson, a player I've linked to the Raiders for a while thanks to his history with former defensive coordinator Patrick Graham. At 6'4" and 315 pounds, Johnson is a traditional nose tackle who has built a career on stopping the run. He's never been a big pass-rush threat—he's only topped 10 pressures twice in 11 seasons—but he's been a reliable anchor against the ground game. In 2025, the 32-year-old logged 19 tackles, a forced fumble, a pass breakup, a sack, and 11 run stops in just 207 snaps—his lowest snap count since 2019. If the Raiders want a proven veteran to push their young guys in camp or add depth for a playoff push, Johnson's 3,700-plus career snaps of experience make him a smart pickup.
Another option is Greg Gaines, who also turned 30 this May and is coming off a solid 2025 season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Gaines posted 23 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 4 tackles for loss, 8 pressures, and 14 run stops—the most run stops he's had since 2022 with the Rams. He also achieved his best pass-rush win rate since 2021 at 7.8% (matching his breakout 2021 season when he had 5.5 sacks and 46 pressures). While a bit undersized at 6'1" and 315 pounds, Gaines is a quality run defender who rotated behind Vita Vea in Tampa. He also has a prior connection with Raiders GM John Spytek from their time together in Tampa Bay, which could smooth negotiations. With nearly 3,500 career snaps and top-30 run-stop win rates in four of his six seasons, Gaines offers reliable depth and competition.
Don't forget about Jihad Ward, who just enjoyed his best career season in 2025 under now-Raiders defensive line coach Travis Smith—the same coach who worked with him in Oakland. At 6'5" and 280 pounds, Ward brings versatility, lining up primarily at 5- and 7-technique but also kicking inside to 3- and 4-technique. His familiarity with Smith's system and his ability to create disruption from multiple spots make him a compelling rotational piece for a Raiders defense looking to add veteran savvy without breaking the bank.
Whether the Raiders want a pure run-stuffer, a versatile pass-rusher, or a scheme-savvy veteran, these three defenders offer proven production and the kind of professional approach that can elevate a locker room. For a team building its identity through competition, any of these names would be a smart addition to the Silver and Black.