The Las Vegas Raiders came into the 2025 offseason with a long list of things they needed to get done. Somewhere on that list was to address the defensive line. They had Maxx Crosby, Christian Wilkins, and Tyree Wilson locked in, so help was needed.
The Raiders re-signed Adam Butler to address the starter position next to Wilkins, or depth depending on who they draft at No. 6 in the 2025 NFL Draft. They then re-signed Malcolm Koonce. So, for the most part, the defensive line was done, at least the starting unit was. Now, they needed some depth, especially in the interior. And, they addressed it immediately, this time by keeping a player from last year around.
On Tuesday, the Raiders re-signed defensive tackle Zach Carter to add to their depth, as their Twitter, or X, post said when they tweeted out the news.
Raiders sign DT Zach Carter
The Cincinnati Bengals picked Carter in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft, 95th overall, where he spent his first two NFL seasons with the Bengals. At 6-foot-4 and about 285 pounds, he used his size and speed on the interior line after playing more as an end in college.
He appeared in 37 games, starting 16, and recorded 55 tackles, one sack, two tackles for loss, one forced fumble, and two passes defended. The Bengals waived him in 2024, and the Raiders claimed him off waivers, dropping defensive tackle Nesta Jade Silvera to make room.
Now with the Raiders, Carter is still young at 25 and has room to grow. He’s got the size, effort, and some quickness, but he needs to work on his technique and pass-rush skills to take the next step. His experience playing different spots on the line in college could help him stick as a backup or rotational player for Las Vegas as he looks to earn a bigger role. And based on the injuries we saw last year, the Raiders could very well depend on the depth he brings to the team.
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