10 Las Vegas Raiders who have something to prove in 2020

10 Las Vegas Raiders who have something to prove in 2020

LB Nick Kwiatkoski

Nick Kwiatkoski leveraged solid play for the Chicago Bears in 2019, primarily as an injury replacement, into a 3-year, $21 million contract, and the jury is still out on him as a full-time starter. After being drafted in the 4th round by the Bears in 2016, Kwiatkoski started 22 games over four seasons and put up some impressive tackle numbers while showing he can get to the quarterback with three sacks in 2019.

Kwiatkoski will be handed the keys to the Raiders’ defense as the signal-caller, and it will be the first time he is coming in to training camp with that designation. He was given the green dot in Chicago when Danny Trevathan went down with injury in 2019 and stepped up admirably.

That ability to call defensive plays, and lead a defense was surely one of the reasons the Raiders spent big on Kwiatkoski, as opposed to fellow free agent Cory Littleton, who was signed for his playmaking abilities.

The Raiders struggles at linebacker have been well documented, and if Kwiatkoski lives up to his billing, it will be a major improvement over the merry go round at the position in 2019. Kwiatkoski has a lot to prove because of the expectations that come with the green dot and the contract he received despite his short resume.