Raiders: Grades for the first wave of 2022 free agency

LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 16: Defensive end Chandler Jones #55 of the Arizona Cardinals celebrates his block of a pass to stop a touchdown during the second quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 16, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

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Oct 3, 2021; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears defensive tackle Bilal Nichols (98) reacts after a turnover in the first half against the Detroit Lions at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Quinn Harris-USA TODAY Sports /

Grading the first half of defensive players brought in this free agency

Bilal Nichols, DT

Grade: B+
Contract: 2y, $11m

The Las Vegas Raiders went into free agency needing a pair of starting defensive tackles, and Nichols is the first one they grabbed. The defensive tackle is a great 3-4 nose tackle, which defensive coordinator Patrick Graham primarily runs, who has plenty of pass-rushing skills.

Although Graham’s defensive base is technically a 3-4, don’t let that fool you; Graham doesn’t believe in sticking to one base formation. In fact, the Raiders’ new defensive coordinator believes the 4-3 vs 3-4 proposition is outdated, and teams need to be able to run both if they want to succeed.

With this in mind, the Raiders will need to grab another starting-caliber defensive tackle at some point, but for now, Nichols is a good player at a good price.

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