Las Vegas Raiders: Why these 4 big contracts need to be great in 2021
Cory Littleton, LB
Cory Littleton was the prized acquisition last season for the Raiders in their inaugural season in Las Vegas. On paper, the move was sensational, as the Raiders had longed for a playmaker at the linebacker position for a very long time.
It seemed like every year the Raiders would try and bring in some talent at the position group, only to be let down. Littleton was brought in to mend the trend of linebacker being a weak spot for the Raiders, as he was a Pro Bowl and All-Pro player in Los Angeles.
Littleton was looked at as a jack-of-all-trades type of linebacker, as with the Rams, he was able to stop the run, as well as make life difficult for opposing quarterbacks. After signing his three-year/$35 million contract with the Silver and Black, he was seen as a final piece of the puzzle on defense.
However, Littleton struggled in Paul Guenther’s scheme, and the hope is that he can turn the corner now that Gus Bradley is running the show. The expectation is for him to return to a Pro Bowl level for this Raiders defense, and start earning his paycheck, because if he struggles again, it leaves the team with a big hole at the position.
Maybe Littleton can be given more freedom and execute better under new defensive coordinator Gus Bradley. Only time may tell, but if the 2021 season is anything like the 2020 season for Littleton, the Raiders would definitely have to consider moving on from the pricey contract of Littleton.