Raider Rookie Evaluations: Isaiah Pola-Mao
The Las Vegas Raiders might have been limited in their choices for draft picks in 2022 after trading away their first- and second-round selections, but they were able to find a couple of diamonds in the rough to make up for it.
While Las Vegas Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao wasn't quite the surprise that fellow undrafted free agent Luke Masterson was, the USC product did show glimpses of what he could bring as a constant on the Raiders' defense.
Pola-Mao was on and off the Las Vegas' active roster throughout the course of the season and even was waived late in September, nearly a month after making the final 53-man roster at the end of training camp.
However, he was signed back to the practice squad a couple of days later before being brought up to the active roster in November after safety Johnathan Abram was cut.
Pola-Mao earned special teams snaps in Weeks 2, 3, and 10 before making his defensive debut in Week 11 against the Denver Broncos.
The rookie finished with four combined tackles in only eight defensive plays.
Two weeks later, Pola-Mao saw 13 defensive snaps, making five combined tackles, a tackle for a loss, and two quarterback hits against the Los Angeles Chargers.
The following week against the Los Angeles Rams, Pola-Mao took part in a season-high 21 plays on defense and ended up with four combined tackles.
In total, the safety finished with 20 combined tackles, two tackles for losses, two quarterback hits, and a sack in the 11 games he played in his rookie campaign.
Pola-Mao showed that he belongs in this league. Perhaps he will see more action for the Silver and Black next season.
In addition, Pola-Mao has another special tie to the Raiders, as he is a great-nephew of Raiders running backs coach Kennedy Polamalu.
The NFL Scouting Combine is Feb. 28-March 6, 2023, held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind. March 7, 2023, before 4 p.m. EST is the club's deadline to designate Franchise or Transition Players.
March 13-15 is the free agent negotiation period. Starting at 12 p.m. EST on March 13 and ending at 3:59:59 p.m. EST on March 15, clubs are permitted to contact and enter into contract negotiations with the certified agents of players who will become Unrestricted Free Agents upon the expiration of their 2022 Player Contracts at 4 p.m. EST on March 15.
The 2023 NFL Year and Free Agency period begins at 4 p.m. EST on March 15. The Raiders are expected to be significant players in the free agent market this season.
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