Raiders LB Spillane Has Potential to Take Another Step in 2024

The Las Vegas Raiders have their quarterback -- on the other side of the ball. Expect him to get even better.

Former Las Vegas Raiders general manager Dave Ziegler knew he needed a Maxx Crosby-like player in the second level, our Hondo S. Carpenter, Sr. said in a recent episode of the "Las Vegas Insider" podcast.

"This is where Dave Ziegler doesn't get enough credit," Carpenter said. "He knew in year two we got to get a Maxx Crosby at every level."

Carpenter also mentioned how much Pittsburgh liked Spillane in his three seasons as a Steeler. Historically, Pittsburgh is about as good a talent evaluator for linebackers as anyone. It employs generations of quality linebackers, including the two Jacks (Lambert and Ham), Joey Porter, James Harrison, Ryan Shazier, and current stalwart T.J. Watt. The Steelers' eye for linebacking talent resembles Nick Saban's prowess for finding defensive backs.

The Silver and Black signed Spillane in last March. Spillane had come off a solid season with the Steelers -- playing in 16 games with five starts and tallying 77 tackles, four tackles for a loss, and four pass breakups.

Last season as a Raider, Spillane took a leap.

In 17 games, Spillane registered 96 solo tackles, good for 10th in the NFL, snagged three interceptions, tied for third most in the league, and three pass breakups. Per Pro Football Focus, Spillane had a 77 overall player grade -- the 18th best among linebackers in 2023.

Per PFF, "Spillane’s 87.1 PFF pass-rushing grade, buoyed by a 26.8% pressure rate, ranked third among all linebackers this season."

Pretty good for an undrafted Group of Five (Western Michigan University) player.

Carpenter touted the more intangible aspects of Spillane's game.

"You've got to develop people. Robert Spillane made guys better," Carpenter said. "He's a great player. [...] I have watched him put his nose right on a big 340-pound offensive lineman's sternum to move him out of the way to just go get to a running back. [...] If Robert Spillane can't tackle you -- you can't be tackled."

Spillane's 89 PFF run defense grade was sixth best among linebackers -- evidence to Carpenter's anecdote.

"He's never seen a tackle he didn't want," Carpenter said.

Carpenter added that Spillane's defensive quarterbacking ability is what also puts him above the rest.

"A great player makes everybody else better," Carpenter said. "A great player sees it all and processes it so quickly -- that then he's moving guys into position."

Spillane was one of the best linebackers in 2023. Expect him to take another step next season.

The NFL Draft will be held in Detroit, Mich., on April 25-27, 2024. The Las Vegas Raiders currently have the No. 13 overall pick.

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