Las Vegas Raiders Dubbed “Best Landing Spot” For Free Agent Star

As of right now, the Las Vegas Raiders are heading into the 2025 NFL season with a #1 nickelback who has only made 12 career NFL starts. 

No disrespect to Darnay Holmes, who deserves props for carving out a solid NFL career as a depth guy for the New York Giants as Raiders. But in his five-year NFL career, he just hasn’t separated himself as a guy who can play starting nickelback in the NFL. 

It seems like the Raiders would prefer a nickelback who has made 42 starts in the last five seasons over a player who has made only 12. That kind of player is available on the free agent market right now. Raiders insider and Bleacher Report NFL expert Matt Holder thinks the Raiders should sign him. 

In an article titled, “Best Landing Spots for Top Defensive Free Agents Before NFL Training Camp,” Holder names the Las Vegas Raiders as the best fit for free-agent nickelback Mike Hilton. 

“Having a strong veteran voice [Hilton] could be just what the young position group [nickelback] needs to develop moving forward,” Holder wrote. 

Holder also pointed out that the Raiders let veteran starting nickelback Nate Hobbs walk in free agency and didn’t bring in a replacement for him.

Pros and Cons of Signing Mike Hilton

As Holder mentions in his article, Hilton comes with a lot of experience. 

The 8-year NFL veteran has had stops with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals thus far in his career. 

In those 8 seasons, Hilton has racked up 13 interceptions including one pick-six. 

He is also considered a very good run-game defender. He has 24 tackles for loss in the past two seasons and achieved a career-high run defense grade of 91.7 from Pro Football Focus in 2024. In many ways, he seems to be at the top of his game. 

The likely main reason Hilton is still not yet signed is his age. At 31 years old, doubts persist about how many more seasons Hilton will play before hanging up his cleats. 

Plus, Hilton has been extremely durable and healthy. Hilton has played in 16 or more games in three of the past four seasons, including 2023 and 2024. 

Other Teams May Be Interested in Hilton 

While it’s certainly peculiar that a player of Hilton’s caliber remains unsigned, Holder thinks a couple other teams could be a fit for the dependable cornerback. 

Holder cited the Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers as two other teams that could use Hilton’s services. 

Dallas is in a similar situation to Las Vegas, given they let starting nickel Jordan Lewis walk without replacing him. San Francisco’s interest likely depends on if they plan on playing CB Deommodore Lenoir on the boundary or keeping him in the slot.

Regardless of where he ends up, Holder really wants to see Hilton find a home. 

“In other words, [Hilton] at least deserves a shot to prove himself against the young bucks,” Holder wrote. “The team that gets him could land a starting slot corner.”

So what do you think, Raiders fans? Should Las Vegas give Mike Hilton a chance to suit up in the Silver and Black?