Are the Oakland Raiders set at linebacker entering Week 1?

The Oakland Raiders have a new-look to their linebacker group in 2019, but is this the group that will head into Week 1 against the Denver Broncos.

Let’s go ahead and get this out of the way. We will not be discussing more quarterback moves. Instead the focus here will be the linebacker corps. As it stands the Oakland Raiders have five linebackers on the roster.

The five are new addition Vontaze Burfict, 2018 leading tackler Tahir Whitehead, as well as underachieving or promising, whichever way you lean, returning linebackers Marquel Lee and Nicholas Morrow. Add in special teams beast Kyle Wilber, and these are the linebackers set to take the field Monday night vs the Denver Broncos.

With the cut of former Bronco Brandon Marshall, the Raiders seem to be going with Morrow at the outside linebacker position. The Raiders were rumored to be in on Dolphins linebacker Kiko Alonso, who has since been traded to the New Orleans Saints.

Which brings up the question is this really the lineup that will open the season?

Vontaze Burfict would seem to be the leader of this group. This being because at the age of 28 is the only linebacker to have made a Pro Bowl on the roster. Despite this he is more known for his ‘dirty play’ and myriad of injuries over the years that have kept him off the field more then on it.

Tahir Whitehead was a solid but not spectacular acquisition for the Raiders in 2018. He led the team with 126 combined tackles, but with speed not being his forte, offers nothing in terms of pass rushing. Add in the fact the guy playing strong side linebacker in Denver is Bradley Chubb, coming off 12 sacks alone as a rookie. It shows a major difference in talent comparing the teams.

The next linebacker is one which draws the biggest question mark, Nicholas Morrow. The undrafted free agent is entering his third season. He has a total of 100 combined tackles and one sack to his name. He has started ten games over the last two seasons and is seen as something of an enigma. Now as it stands he will be in his first full time starting role.

Can he handle the pressure? Can he be the pass rushing linebacker the Raiders so desperately need?

A lot remains to be seen when it comes to Morrow, in a lot of ways it would seem the Raiders need to make a move ASAP, especially when you consider the Broncos starting linebacker on the weak side is actually All Pro Von Miller. Sure this is a task for the offensive line to tackle, but comparing the Raiders linebacker corps to the Broncos in a lot of ways is embarrassing.

Miller’s 14.5 sacks were more then the entire Raiders defense last year, and Chubb’s 12 was one less the the Raiders grand total. Either Burfict has to stay healthy and return to pro bowl form, Whitehead must pick it up and Morrow needs to develop into some sort of steady or reliable player. Considering the youth on the defensive line, this group needs to pick it up in a way quickly.

With Monday night’s game right around the corner, the big question will be are the Raiders truly going to go in with this group of linebackers or will someone be added to fill the void?