The Las Vegas Raiders have revamped the roster on the defensive side of the ball, but the linebacker group remains an underrated unit.
Like the Raiders offense, the Raiders defense is expected to be much improved under the direction of a new staff. After all, the Raiders are expected to have that defense that has been the missing link for so many years to accompany their offense.
Most of the talk that has surrounded the defense this past offseason is about how good their defensive line is when it comes to applying pressure. In addition, the Raiders’ secondary is under enormous pressure as they chose not to draft a defensive back in this past spring’s draft.
Although the most important position of the defense is debatable, no defense will run efficiently without a superb linebacker. As good as the defensive line is and how much the Raiders secondary needs to improve; where does that leave Las Vegas? Despite not drafting a linebacker in the draft, the linebackers are expected to play a vital role in Patrick Graham’s new defense?
Raiders linebacker group needs to be shown more love
The Raiders linebackers are underrated primarily because they are undersized. Although there is nothing wrong with being an undersized linebacker, in fact, that is just the norm in football today, people are just still stuck on old-school linebackers (Dan Conners, Phil Villapiano, and Gus Otto just to name a few.).
Ironically the old-school linebackers and their aggressive style of play fits the Raiders’ persona of instilling fear inside opponents.
To adapt to the offensive evolution of modern football, defensive coaches have abandoned the old-school linebacker mold. The linebackers standing at least 6-2 to 6-5 and weighing in at 240-250 pounds with the neck rolls and oversized shoulder pads are almost obsolete. Replacing them are undersized, hard-hitting tacklers who can drop into coverage.
Denzel Perryman is expected to lead the linebackers again this season. Perryman is only 5-11 240 pounds. Those are not the numbers that matter. Perryman’s 154 tackles and 102 solo tackles are what matter.
Alongside Perryman, Divine Deablo (6-3 226) returns for his sophomore season. Deablo, a converted safety, is expected to have a breakout year in this defense.
Joining Perryman and Deablo are newcomers Jayon Brown (6-0 226); Micah Kiser (6-0 244); Kenny Young (6-1 234) and Kyler Fackrell (6-5 245). Also, undrafted rookies Darien Butler (5-10 220) and Luke Masterson (6-2 231) will be fighting for a roster spot.
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Although the current linebacking corps may not conjure images of the past Raiders linebackers, the new school linebacker should be able to carry on that tradition. They may not have the size or may not have that star player yet, but they have the heart and the attitude to be successful.