Las Vegas Raiders: 4 key players who need to improve in 2023

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 24: Dallas Goedert #88 of the Philadelphia Eagles is tackled by Trevon Moehrig #25 of the Las Vegas Raiders during the first half in the game at Allegiant Stadium on October 24, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Steve Marcus/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 24: Dallas Goedert #88 of the Philadelphia Eagles is tackled by Trevon Moehrig #25 of the Las Vegas Raiders during the first half in the game at Allegiant Stadium on October 24, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Steve Marcus/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 4
Next
Sep 18, 2022; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) is tackled by Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins (90) and Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Divine Deablo (5) during a game at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2022; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) is tackled by Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins (90) and Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Divine Deablo (5) during a game at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports /

Las Vegas Raiders: 4 key players who need to improve in 2023

Divine Deablo, Linebacker

We close with linebacker Divine Deablo, another young player who came into the 2022 NFL season with high expectations. Deablo was a third-round pick of the Raiders back in 2021, and he certainly flashed early on, becoming a starter for new head coach Josh McDaniels in Year 2 in the league.

Deablo proved McDaniels right for the vote of confidence early on, leading the Raiders in tackled through the first eight games before being placed on injured reserve. For a position group that does not have much depth, he goes into his third year in the NFL with big-time expectations and is someone I believe can be an anchor of this defense for years to come.

This is not to say Deablo had a bad 2022 season, in fact, this is to say that he needs to build on what was a successful season in Year 2, and become a real leader for this defense. Las Vegas must improve 100 percent over last season on that side of the ball, and Deablo has the talent to be a real player for this franchise for years to come.