Las Vegas Raiders: Linebacker should be a strength in 2021
By Brad Weiss
The Las Vegas Raiders have had issues at linebacker in recent years, but under Gus Bradley, the unit should be a strength for the team in 2021.
Before the 2020 NFL season, the Las Vegas Raiders made it a priority to bring in talent at the linebacker spot via free agency, and the 2020 NFL Draft. Not only did the team add Cory Littleton and Nick Kwiatkoski as free agents, but they also selected Clemson hybrid player Tanner Muse, and quickly stated he would be a linebacker at the next level.
Well, Muse did not play at all due to injury, and while Kwiatkoski was actually better than most expected, Littleton struggled. Littleton was the biggest free-agent signing of last year, but he did not gel in Paul Guenther’s defense, so he should be much better under Gus Bradley in 2021.
During his time with the Los Angeles Rams, Littleton was a playmaker, and while the Raiders did not get that version of him in 2020, this should be a whole new ballgame for him in Bradley’s defense.
Raiders linebacker room has depth, talent
Outside of those three players, the Raiders also have Nicholas Morrow, who more than deserved his new contract this offseason. Morrow has gotten steadily better as a Raider, and in 2021, he is going to start once again alongside Kwiatkoski and Littleton.
During the 2021 NFL Draft, the Raiders added Divine Deablo with one of their two third-round picks, and the Virginia Tech product is an exciting playmaker on defense. He is going to be used all over the field in Bradley’s defense, with the expectation being that he is going to contribute in a big way as a rookie.
Players like Javin White, Asmar Bilal, Max Richardson, and Gerri Green will attempt to make the team, with White having the inside track. Overall, this is a unit that has more talent, and more depth than in years past, so not only is improvement expected, but it is also necessary for a team looking to make the playoffs for the second time since the 2002 NFL season.