2014 Free Agency Preview: Top 5 Inside Linebackers
By Vic Lopez
Dec 2, 2012; Miami, FL, USA; Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
#4. Brandon Spikes
Age: 27 (When season starts)
2013 Stats: 16 games, 86 tackles, 0 sacks, 1 INT, 0 TD’s
Career Stats: 49 games played, 286 tackles, 1 sacks, 2 INT’s, 1 TD
A good fit if….: Raiders are emphasizing stopping the run in 2014…
Brandon Spikes is another talented player, who will be looking for a new team in 2014. Spikes has a reputation as a supreme run defender, but a liability in coverage. While I do not think Spikes is as bad as advertised, numbers don’t lie, Pro Football Focus gave a 9.8 overall rating, but a -3.6 in coverage. Also Spikes only played 694 snaps all season, which is a low number for a starting MLB who was healthy all season. Spikes could be a solid contributor, but has yet to prove he can be a 3 down linebacker.
Rating: 5.5
Chances of landing in Oakland: 5%