Linebacker
At this point, it seems the Raiders have comically neglected the need for a coverage linebacker for over a decade. Players have come and gone with short-term success at the position like Perry Riley and NaVorro Bowman. Vontaze Burfict was a solid acquisition before the league suspended him.
With that said, defensive coordinator Paul Guenther must update his perspective on the ideal linebacker to counter spread offenses—going away from the two-down thumper toward the agile defender who’s equipped to cover running backs and tight ends in space.
Top Target (s): Cory Littleton/Joe Schobert
Cory Littleton stands out as a personal favorite. He’s the definition of a modern-day linebacker capable of covering in space and supplementing the run defense. The 26-year-old is also an effective blitzer, logging 7.5 sacks over the last two seasons. Most Raiders beat writers and reporters listed him as a target, so we’ll look at a 1B option to provide variety.
Joe Schobert possesses similar linebacker traits to Littleton. He checks three important boxes for today’s linebacker: shows solid intermediate coverage skills, frees himself to make run stops and displays enough quickness to bring down the quarterback when tasked to do so. In 2019, the fourth-year veteran reached season highs in interceptions (four) and pass breakups (nine).
Littleton and Schobert should rank atop the free-agent list to address the Raiders’ non-versatile linebacker group.
Alternative Option: De’Vondre Campbell
Typically, when we talk about the Atlanta Falcons linebacker corps, Deion Jones comes to mind first and rightfully so. However, don’t overlook De’Vondre Campbell, who can line up at inside or outside linebacker as he’s done with his current team in recent years.
Beyond Campbell’s position versatility, he’s productive in those spots. The 6’4″, 232-pound linebacker led the Falcons in total (129) and solo tackles (75) for the 2019 campaign. He can sift through blocks to take down ball-carriers with sound tackling. Campbell also poses a threat to knock down passes in the shallow zones because of his height. The 26-year-old has 16 pass breakups in four seasons.
While many Raiders fans pay close attention to Littleton and Schobert, Campbell may be a less costly but effective option and an upgrade over Tahir Whitehead.