Las Vegas Raiders: Defensive Tackles who fit Gus Bradley’s scheme
By BD Williams
Possible Raiders free agency defensive tackle targets that fit Bradley’s scheme
Leonard Williams – 6’5 300 ~ $18.5 Million
Perhaps the name most linked to the Raiders if you asked the fans is Leonard Williams. Williams is from California and has expressed his desire to play for the Raiders multiple times in the past. Williams has the body type and skill set that works in any scheme in the NFL and he has produced despite playing for several different teams and coordinators during his career.
The only thing holding the Raiders back from aquiring Williams would be the price-tag, as Spotrac predicts Williams will command a salary of 18.5 million this off-season if he hits the open market (which is unlikely since the Giants will probably slap the franchise tag on him anyways). Don’t get your hopes up Raider Nation.
Ndamukong Suh – 6’4 315 ~ $8 Million
Mike Mayock spoke about getting an impact defensive player on the Raiders defense and long-time impact defender Ndamukong Suh will be a free agent this off-season. At 34 years old, Suh has already cashed in and made his money in the NFL. He would still be an expensive player to acquire and the whole draw of a Gus Bradley coached defense is the lack of need for veteran players.
Suh has turned into more of a run defender later in his career, he would provide an interior push but isn’t quite the gap shooter that this defense needs. That being said he could play either defensive tackle position and undeniably would make plays for the Raiders defense.
Adam Butler – 6’5 300 ~ $3.25 Million
Adam Butler is getting towards the budget end, but his upside makes this a value free agent addition. Butler has been a gap-shooting defensive tackle stuck in a scheme that asks defensive tackles to control the line of scrimmage.
His talents at getting into the backfield is undeniable however he’s never been given a chance to start more than a handful of games in his career. If Butler gets a change of scenery, he has the potential to become one of the better pass rushing defensive tackles in the NFL.
Shelby Harris – 6’2 290 ~ $3.1 Million
Maybe Shelby Harris makes his way back to Silver and Black where he initially started his career. Reggie McKenzie drafted Harris back in 2014, and true to form with McKenzie’s draft picks, Harris belonged in the NFL, he was perhaps a few years away from turning into a starter. Now that Harris is a veteran, his game is complete and he can play both interior defensive tackle positions while stopping the run and rushing the passer.
Harris would be the best scheme fit for the Raiders and has the added benefit of playing in the division for the last 3 years with the Broncos.
Las Vegas Raiders defense can benefit from drafting Alabama LB Dylan Moses. dark. Next
Roy Robertson- Harris 6’5 290 ~ $5 Million
Throwing a wild-card into the mix. Robertson-Harris is an interior NFL defender who best fits as a 3-4 defensive end. However he has the length and size that Gus Bradley covets (think Malik Jackson 6’5 290 in Jacksonville, and Jerry Tillery in Los Angeles). Robertson-Harris has been mostly a rotational interior rusher with the Bears but he flashes dominant tape especially getting into the backfield and quickly beating guards who are less athletic than him.