Las Vegas Raiders 2021 complete roster breakdown pre-free agency
By BD Williams
Las Vegas Raiders 2021 complete roster breakdown pre-free agency
Defensive Line and Linebackers
Defensive Line
On the Roster: Carl Nassib ($9.5 Million), Clelin Ferrell ($8.5 Million), Arden Key (2.4 Million), Maurice Hurst ($2.26 Million), Maxx Crosby ($1.05 Million), David Irving ($1.04 Million), Kendal Vickers ($780K)
Need: High
If the Raiders weren’t switching from an even front (Paul Guenther) to an odd front (Gus Bradley) maybe this would only be Moderately High need. But the Raiders don’t have the famous LEO end on the roster (think 6’2 250lb speed rusher) and they don’t have a nose tackle under contract.
The good thing is the nickel defensive front would be okay (not great) but base personnel would be an issue with this current roster. Look for the Raiders to make a push for Yannick Ngakoue or Melvin Ingram to bolster the pass rush and perhaps draft someone like Quincy Roche (Miami).
Linebackers
On the Roster: Cory Littleton ($9.3 Million), Nick Kwiatkoski ($4.3 Million), Tanner Muse ($1.02 Million), James Onwualu ($850K), Javin White ($780K), Asmar Bilal ($780K).
Need: Very Low
The two starting linebackers in Nickel are set in stone. Add to that the rumors the Raiders want to bring back Nicholas Morrow, there is a huge backlog at this position that will only have two on the field at a time in 85% of defensive sets. Sure the Raiders could use a big Sam LB in Gus Bradley’s scheme, but you don’t draft a player high, or spend a bunch of money on that position if he’s only going to be on the field 15 percent of the time.
Look for the Raiders to continue churning the bottom of this group with UDFAs and hope some cream rises to the top.