Las Vegas Raiders: Examining the complete list of 2021 free agents
By Nick Bailey
Raiders 2021 free agents: Defense
Kendal Vickers, Restricted
Kendal Vickers earned a spot on the opening 53-man roster last season, and that left most of Raider Nation scratching their heads. Vickers was an undrafted free agent coming out of Tennessee, and he played sparingly throughout the season due to injuries and underperformance all along the defensive line.
Vickers didn’t play terribly at all, as he recorded two sacks in his rookie season and at least expect him to land on the practice squad next season.
Dallin Leavitt, Restricted
Dallin Leavitt has been a point of contention for Raiders fans these past two seasons, as each year he is expected to be cut, but he has made the team every time. If his practice squad options aren’t over, maybe he comes back to be special teams player.
Johnathan Hankins, Unrestricted
Johnathan Hankins has probably been the best player along the defensive line these last two seasons. He’s been really good against the run, and surprisingly has been the best pass rusher from the defensive tackle position as well, so hopefully, he returns.
Nicholas Morrow, Unrestricted
Other than quarterback Derek Carr and center Rodney Hudson, Nicholas Morrow is the only other player left from the previous regime, and for good reason. Morrow has been steadily improving since he joined the Raiders and had the chance to show that improvement replacing Nick Kwiatkoski, and Cory Littleton due to injuries and a COVID list trip respectively.
I hope he returns, but a team could come and offer more money and more playing time to yank him away.
Takk Mckinley, Unrestricted
Takk McKinley will probably be back on a one year prove-it deal for the Raiders. After getting released from the Atlanta Falcons last year, he was subsequently claimed by the Bengals, but after a failed physical he was once again placed on the waiver wire. He failed another physical with the 49ers before landing with the Raiders. Gruden kept talking up McKinley after he acquired him, so I’m sure he will get the chance to prove what he can do next season.
Kyle Wilber, Unrestricted
Kyle Wilber was signed last offseason mostly to play special teams and because of his relationship with Rich Bisaccia. He must also be a good part of that locker room because he was also voted a captain last year. Wilber will probably be back thanks to his relationship with Gruden.