The Las Vegas Raiders make another splash in free agency, bringing in an offensive weapon and defensive anchor.
After signing five players through free agency yesterday, the Las Vegas Raiders jump right back into the market to grab a pair of free agents; Wideout Demarcus Robinson, and defensive lineman Vernon Butler.
After grabbing Mack Hollins, it only made sense the Las Vegas Raiders snagged Robinson as well. After all, just like Hollins, Robinson has had nightmarish catches against the Raiders. Now, they both join the Silver and Black, instead of making ridiculous catches against them.
Through his five years of getting run as a receiver, Robinson has totaled 1,679 yards and 14 scores. It isn’t the numbers that make him valuable to the Raiders, but rather his skillset. Robinson is a deep threat that can easily get lost downfield behind Adams, Waller and Renfrow. The former Chief has never averaged under 10 yards per catch in his career due to this.
The #Raiders are signing former #Chiefs WR Demarcus Robinson, according to his agents @KatzBrosSports. #NFL
— Matt Lombardo (@MattLombardoNFL) March 22, 2022
Kansas City has kept him around since 2016, and now he gets the chance to play them twice a year. The most impressive thing about Robinson is his availability; Through six seasons, he’s yet to miss as much as one single game. In 2019, the receiver scored a career-high two touchdowns in a game against the team he now plays for.
Defensive lineman Vernon Butler agrees to a one-year deal with the Raiders.
Butler may not be the biggest name in free agency, but he’s a great signing for Las Vegas. Coming in at 330lb, this is a huge anchor in the middle that has both 3-4 and starting experience. The Raiders grab Graham another interior defensive lineman, and this one is a great fit.
The defensive lineman is a stud against the run and has shown pass-rushing skills in the past. During the ’19 season, Butler played a lot of defensive end, where he recorded his career-high six sacks. He brings versatility to the line, although it’s hard to imagine he plays much defensive end with Maxx Crosby and Chandler Jones being on the same team as him.
Throughout his career, he’s recorded 104 tackles and forced four fumbles. Now paired with Nichols, Billings, and Vickers, the Las Vegas Raiders have four big men up the middle they can rotate with ease. Clelin Ferrell might be added to that mix, as he’s played a good amount of snaps in the interior, specifically during his rookie season.
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Heading into the off-season, the Raiders had zero players they could rotate in at defensive tackle, excluding Ferrell who’s future role is still uncertain. Now, they find themselves with four new options, and have some snap-count decisions to make. There’s a time and a place for that one, though, and Graham will cross that bridge when he gets there.