2016 Raiders linebacker room featured names such as Khalil Mack, Malcom Smith, and Bruce Irvin. Since then, many of the team’s linebacker core has been filled with some forgettable names. 2024 looks to be a promising year for the team.
There is an NFL player with a knack,
For placing QB's on their back.
He seeks to attack—
Never cutting them slack.
His name is Khalil Mack.Happy Birthday @52Mack_ !@RAIDERS pic.twitter.com/MbVUUGowvt
— NFL Films (@NFLFilms) February 22, 2018
Promising Linebacker Core
Last season showed promise for the linebacker position as Robert Spillane was a huge playmaker for the defense. He was signed to a two-year, $9 million contract during the offseason before last year’s campaign by Las Vegas.
2023 was undoubtedly his most productive season totaling 148 tackles along with three interceptions in seventeen games. His partner in crime was 2021 third round draft pick out of Virginia Tech, Divine Deablo.
There have been many linebackers who show potential to be great, but changes in coaching staff commonly has an impact. This was shown in recent years with players like Denzel Perryman and Nick Kwiatkowski.
Deablo has been a consistent starter for the Raiders but has battled many injuries. It seems the Raiders found a new talent who could replace Deablo for the future.
In the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, Las Vegas selected Tommy Eichenburg from Ohio State. Eichenburg was presented the Big Ten Linebacker of the Year award in 2023. This showcases that he can compete at a high level and succeed.
Tommy Eichenberg is applying the pressure ???? pic.twitter.com/I5Jx6nn0Ad
— ESPN (@espn) September 4, 2022
Robert Spillane played as a borderline Pro Bowl linebacker last season and is going into his contract year. Deablo will have a lot of pressure on him if he wants to remain as a starter for the Raiders. Adding Eichenburg leads the potential for one of the best linebacking cores in a long time for the Raiders.
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Trevis Dampier Jr is a writer for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X @trevisjay_
