Grading the Las Vegas Raiders additions on defense
Nick Kwiatkoski, ILB, Chicago Bears
Nick Kwiatkoski is more of an unknown that Cory Littleton but he is also a marked improvement over any linebacker the Raiders have had in recent years. The former Bear has primarily been a backup in Chicago for much of his career but has started 22 games over his four year career. His longest stretch as a starter came last season after Danny Trevathan’s injury and he was excellent over the last seven games.
In addition to a start in Week 4, Kwiatkoski notched 76 tackles, three sacks, and an interception in 2019. Even as a part-time starter, Kwiatkoski has flashed for the Bears and they would have certainly preferred to keep him but could not afford him based on the market that was out there for him.
The upside of Kwiatkoski being a backup for much of his career is that he has relatively little wear and tear on his body and at just 26-years-old could still improve as a player. The downside is of course that he does not have much of a track record so the Raiders will be hoping that his small sample size as a starter is an indicator of things to come and not a flash in the pan.
Kwiatkoski’s contract terms are even more modest than Littleton’s as the Raiders will be paying him $21 million over three years with a potential out after two years as well. Signing the former West Virginia Mountaineer does not preclude the Raiders from drafting a linebacker in the early rounds but it does give them the flexibility to select the best player available rather than potentially reaching for one.