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Raiders 2022 free agency: All boxes checked on the defense

By Alexander Monfreda

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 04: Defensive end Maxx Crosby #98 of the Las Vegas Raiders celebrates with teammate cornerback Nate Hobbs #39 against the Los Angeles Chargers during the second half at SoFi Stadium on October 4, 2021 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 04: Defensive end Maxx Crosby #98 of the Las Vegas Raiders celebrates with teammate cornerback Nate Hobbs #39 against the Los Angeles Chargers during the second half at SoFi Stadium on October 4, 2021 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – NOVEMBER 08: Head coach Mike Vrabel of the Tennessee Titans speaks to Jayon Brown #55 during a game against the Chicago Bears at Nissan Stadium on November 08, 2020, in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – NOVEMBER 08: Head coach Mike Vrabel of the Tennessee Titans speaks to Jayon Brown #55 during a game against the Chicago Bears at Nissan Stadium on November 08, 2020, in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /

Raiders 2022 free agency: All boxes checked on the defense

Linebacker depth

After waiving both Cory Littleton and Nick Kwiatkoski, the Las Vegas Raiders were left with only two linebackers on the roster. The legal tampering period and first few days of free agency signing came and went, without the Raiders making a move to address this. Even worse, linebacker Nick Morrow took a deal elsewhere, despite Las Vegas reportedly trying to retain the now former Raider.

Eventually, three linebackers would be added to the roster via free agency, all who come with starting experience: Micah Kiser, Kyler Fackrell, and Jayon Brown.

Fackrell is an edge-rushing specialist who’s tallied 23.5 sacks throughout his NFL career. He comes with 19 career starts, including 9 in 2020, where he played with Patrick Graham for the New York Giants. In 2018, Fackrell recorded his career-high sack total, reaching 10.5. Now running a 3-4 for the first time since 1989 (excluding a one-year tryout in 2017), the Raiders needed a player exactly like Fackrell.

Going back to how Las Vegas is now using 3-4 fronts, inside linebackers became a point of emphasis. The Raiders grabbed two with starting experience, being Micah Kiser and Jayon Brown. Kiser started nine games for the Los Angeles Rams in the ’20 season, where he tallied 77 tackles and broke up three passes.

Brown has been a consistent starter for the Titans’ defense over the last three years, where he’s made sure 18 passes weren’t completed, as well as snatching one out of the air each year for a turnover. In 3-4 looks, Brown likely gets the nod for second inside linebacker with Denzel Perryman. With that being said, a lot can change from now until it’s time to make that choice.

Now with five linebackers on the roster, there is still room for one more, but it’s certainly enough to head into the 2022 season with.

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