Increased Betting Action on Las Vegas Raiders After Free Agency
Posted on: March 18, 2026, 06:51h.
Last updated on: March 18, 2026, 07:07h.
- Odds on Las Vegas Raiders shift after free agency signings and Crosby developments
- Betting volume on Raiders picks up
- Raiders own No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft, heavily favoured to take Heisman Trophy-winning QB Mendoza
The Las Vegas Raiders had the most salary cap space among NFL teams going into free agency, and they certainly tossed a lot of that money around, making several notable signings. Bettors have taken notice.
Crosby Speaks About Failed Trade
As of March 16, according to Spotrac, after a lot of spending, the Raiders still had USD $25.4 million in cap space.
“The Raiders offseason has not gone entirely as expected, particularly with the failed Maxx Crosby trade, but it has still been a positive one overall,” said Joey Feazel, Head of Football at Caesars Sportsbook. “We have seen increased betting action on the Raiders, with their odds improving in regular season wins while remaining static across other futures markets.
As with every year, I expect significant Raiders action throughout the summer, with much of the hype centred around their likely new quarterback, Fernando Mendoza.”
Las Vegas Gambling: Raiders Active in Free Agency
The Crosby situation impacted everything. Earlier this month the Las Vegas Raiders thought they had a trade for the multi-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman, with the Baltimore Ravens, for two first round picks, including the No. 14 overall this April, only to have the Ravens back out of the trade due to concerns over Crosby’s injured knee, that he is currently rehabbing.
That news came down after the Raiders had already made some considerable and expensive free agent signings, led by centre Tyler Linderbaum, three years, $81 million, offensive lineman Spencer Burford, one year (dollar amount unavailable). Then, they signed linebackers Quay Walker, three years, $40.5 million, Nakobe Dean, three years, $36 million, edge Kwity Paye, three years, $48 million.
The Raiders also added wideouts Jalen Nailor, three years, $35 million, and Dareke Young, on a one-year deal. They made depth moves, adding fullback Connor Heyward, linebacker Segun Olubi, re-signed Malcolm Koonce and Eric Stokes, and traded for corner Taron Johnson from Buffalo.
Increased Betting Action on Las Vegas
With Crosby seemingly back in the fold, the team has hit the front seven hard. There’s plenty of chatter out there that the Raiders are still intent on dealing Crosby. But not if you go by comments made by Crosby and Raiders management. In fact it’s a solid bet he stays. Crosby reportedly likes new head coach Klint Kubiak, and his old position coach Rob Leonard, who is now defensive coordinator.
If there was any lingering damage in the relationship after the Raiders shut down Crosby’s season due to that knee injury in December, that appears to be over.
Crosby said this yesterday on his podcast, about the Ravens’ situation: “I was livid, confused. I know exactly who I am. I’m healthy. I’m crushing my rehab. I am doing what I am doing. I wasn’t supposed to be in Baltimore, and that’s it. I am meant to be a Raider. It’s to my damn core, and that’s it.”
Betting Lines
ESPN’s NFL reporter Adam Schefter said the “overwhelming” likely path he is hearing is for Crosby to remain a Raider. As Schefter said, the only reason there were trade talks in the first place is because Crosby said he didn’t want to stay in Las Vegas. Now he wants to remain there.
Where that leaves the Raiders is an improved defensive unit, with still a bit of cap room to spare. How do the Raiders pivot, though, in their rebuild, that was going to get a further boost with that 14th overall Baltimore pick?
They’ve done a lot to build an offence around likely first round pick Mendoza, the Heisman Trophy winner, and running back Ashton Jeanty. There’s Linderbaum, and potential starting guard Burford. They drafted guard Jackson Powers-Johnson in the second round in 2024, tackle D.J. Glaze in the third round that year, then tackle Caleb Rogers and Charles Grant last year in the third round.
Guard Dylan Parham left, signing as a free agent with the New York Jets.
Offensive Line Improvement
The Raiders also own their second round pick, No. 41, their third round pick at No. 67, another third rounder at No. 72, a round four pick at No. 102, and No. 134, a fifth rounder at No. 175, a sixth rounder at No. 185 and No. 208, a seventh rounder at No. 219 and 221. How many of those do they use on offensive line to build further around and protect Mendoza, and open holes for Jeanty?
On March 9, the first day of NFL free agency, the Raiders were +20000 to win the Super Bowl at DraftKings, along with the Miami Dolphins, the Cleveland Browns and New York Jets. Today? At DraftKings, the Las Vegas Raiders are +15000. At FanDuel they are +12500. At Caesars Sportsbook the Raiders are +12500.
AFC Odds Shift
According to Ethan Useloff, Sports Trader for Fanatics Sportsbook, the tide is noticeably turning when talking Las Vegas Raiders, a team that finished 3-14 last season, in terms of betting anyway.
Maxx Crosby is obviously the most valuable player on the Raiders roster, seeing as he nearly garnered multiple first-round selections,” he said. “All of Las Vegas’ odds for 2026 have shifted on the backs of Crosby’s trade news, with their Super Bowl chances going from +15000 to +20000 after the reported trade was agreed to, and this shortened to +10000 after the trade fell through. The AFC odds similarly went from +8000 to +10000 and sit at +6000 currently, and odds to win the AFC West have gone from +2000 to +2500, landing at +1800 now.
“What this ultimately means is the Raiders have done well with their offseason acquisitions, adding Tyler Linderbaum, Kwity Paye, Quay Walker, Nakobe Dean, and Taron Johnson, among others,” he said. “Vegas addressed their OL struggles with Linderbaum and Spencer Burford, showing a desire to protect their expected top pick Fernando Mendoza.
“If the Raiders decide to keep Crosby after the trade saga, he’s joining a much more competitive roster than he has seen in past years. Las Vegas has a fierce division to keep up with, but it appears they’re looking to build a team the right way, potentially with Maxx Crosby back on board.”
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