How free agency impacts each Las Vegas Raiders position group
By Matt Holder
Linebacker
There are two telltale signs that we are in a new era of Raiders football. One, the team finally made finding a linebacker a priority in the offseason, and two, they landed a premiere free-agent at the position!
Cory Littleton was widely considered one of the best backers available and Las Vegas swooped him up with a three-year $36 million contract. Considering Deion Jones – who possesses a similar skill set – received a four-year $57 million extension a year ago, Littleton’s new deal is an absolute steal for the Silver and Black. The former Ram finally gives the team a player who can effectively cover running backs and tight ends.
Not to be ignored is the acquisition of Nick Kwiatkoski on a team-friendly three-year $21 million deal. The former Bear may not be a household name because he had to play behind two other outstanding linebackers in Chicago, but he will be a quality starter and play a significant role in the position group’s rejuvenation for the Raiders.
Beyond the field, these two transactions add value to the organization by increasing Gruden and Mayock’s draft options. There was only one linebacker on the roster before Free Agency started and had Littleton or Kwiatkoski opted to play elsewhere, Las Vegas would have been forced to spend one of its first-round picks on the position. Now, the team can address other needs with those selections or take the best player available.