Raiders: Las Vegas’ new linebacker additions and their scheme fit
How the Raiders new additions fit in Graham’s scheme
As mentioned on the last page, all three of these linebackers fit well in Graham’s system, and as such, each should be a dependable rotation linebacker if nothing else.
Part of the reason we can conclude there will be production out of the bunch is due to the fact one of these three players has already both played and produced under Graham – Kyler Fackrell.
During the ’20 season, Fackrell played with the Giants, where the Raiders’ current defensive coordinator was coaching at the time. In this season, Fackrell started 9 contests, which is a career-high. Naturally, this was one of the linebacker’s most notable seasons.
Graham places an emphasis on versatility, and not so coincidentally, this was Fackrell’s most versatile year. The former Giant recorded 4 sacks, 7 tackles for a loss, 2 passes defended and even added his first career interception to his resume.
Now [primarily] in a 3-4, the Raiders were in need of a pass rusher from the linebacker position. With Fackrell, Las Vegas gets just that; A 3-4 OLB who can get after the quarterback, in addition to having some coverage experience. While not a household name by any means, Fackrell is truly a great fit in this new scheme, and should find himself making plays this upcoming season.
I keep talking about the Raiders now running a 3-4, which is important to note here. If you remember the three linebackers Las Vegas had prior to adding the three being discussed here, you’ll notice one similarity: There is zero 3-4 experience between the three. That’s where the other two, being Kiser and Brown, come in.
To state the obvious, what makes a 3-4 front much different than its 4-3 counterpart are the two inside linebackers, which make up the four linebackers in this front. The problem here is, prior to bringing in Kiser and Brown, there wasn’t a 3-4 inside linebacker – Only the 4-3 middle linebacker Denzel Perryman.
Both Kiser and Brown have spent the entirety of their careers in a 3-4, where they bring starting experience to a unit that has no experience whatsoever in this front. Needless to say, these are two signings that not only fit the new scheme, but quite frankly had to be done.
There’s still room to add to this core, but for now, the front office has done well in filling roles that needed to be filled. With hopes of running both a 4-3 and a 3-4 this year, it seems the Raiders now have the personnel to pull off such a scheme, thanks to the additions of Kiser, Fackrell, and Brown.