Las Vegas Raiders pre-2021 NFL Draft position review: Linebacker
By Nick Bailey
Las Vegas Raiders pre-2021 NFL Draft position review: Linebacker
Nick Kwiatkoski
The Raiders signed Nick Kwiatkoski after he spent his first four seasons with the Chicago Bears mostly as a backup, but filled in nicely during the 2019 season while starting middle linebacker Danny Trevathan was out injured and earned a nice contract and starting position with the Raiders.
Kwiatkoski didn’t play terribly for the Raiders in 2020, getting a career-high in total tackles with 81, and had an amazing one-handed interception against the Denver Broncos in their Week 9 matchup, but like most of the defense, he didn’t make big enough plays when the Raiders really needed it.
Kwiatkoski started 12 games in 2020 after suffering a Pectoral injury in the first game of the season against the Carolina Panthers, and later in the season landing on the COVID-19 reserve list. Overall, Nick Kwiatkoski had a solid season, but expect an even higher level of playing in Gus Bradley’s scheme.
Despite missing those four games, he was third on the team in tackles, surprisingly right behind fellow signee Cory Littleton, so I have a lot of confidence that he will be able to step up and contribute this season if he can stay on the field.