2019 Oakland Raiders Position Preview: Linebackers

3 of 4

OAKLAND, CA – NOVEMBER 11: Tahir Whitehead #59 of the Oakland Raiders reacts after a play against the Los Angeles Chargers during their NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on November 11, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

Returners

Tahir Whitehead and Marquel Lee headline the group of linebackers returning to the Silver and Black in 2019. Behind these two on the depth chart include Nicholas Morrow as well as Jason Cabinda, who was re-signed in the offseason.

A unit that struggled mightily to start last season, they finally began to show improvement and the results on the field were apparent as the season winded down. Whitehead in particular, who has long struggled and face criticism, managed to find his way late into the season. Per Pro Football Focus, from Weeks 11 to 14 Whitehead ranked 10th among all linebackers with an 82.3 overall grade.

The hope now is that the returners can build upon their improvement in 2019, without having the extra responsibility placed on their shoulders of being the proclaimed starters. While they showed the capability to hold that starting position, the benefit of playing behind some of the new free agent acquisitions should bode well in the long run.

Home/Las Vegas Raiders News