Linebacker Should Become a Priority for Raiders
The Las Vegas Raiders have one of the better linebacker units in the National Football League.
They are not at the top of the league, but when they are playing at their best with competent play from those around them, Robert Spillane, Divine Deablo and Luke Masterson are a respectable trio.
Not only that, but the linebackers behind them on the depth chart are as well.
However, Spillane played more than over 97 percent of the team's defensive snaps last season, and Deablo missed a couple of games this season due to an injury. Both are examples of why the Raiders should begin to prioritize adding to their linebacker unit this offseason.
Spillane has more than proven that he can play a large percentage of plays in the National Football League. He's been doing so since before he came to the Raiders, and it was part of the reason they signed him.
As admirable as it is for Spillane to play as many plays as he does, it's not a sustainable game plan to continue having him do so.
Spillane playing as much as he does heightens his chance for injury, and if he were to miss significant time, the Raiders, as currently constructed, are not built to withstand the loss of the veteran.
The Las Vegas Raiders must now prioritize the linebacker position.
Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
When he signed with the Raiders, Spillane wanted to prove he was an every-down linebacker. Afterer playing as many plays as he did, even through a broken hand, Spillane has more than proven himself as a starting linebacker in this league. The Raiders must take some of the load off of Spillane and his fellow linebackers this offseason.
Deablo missed much of his first season at the linebacker position after being converted from a defensive back. This past season, he played nearly every game. It's expected that Deablo will take this offseason and continue to develop physically and mentally as a linebacker. His speed and intelligence make him a unique asset.
When Deablo missed games this season, his importance was evident, as offenses routinely attacked where Deablo would have been if not for injury. Similar to Spillane, the Raiders are not prepared to withstand the loss of Deablo for an extended amount of time. That would only leave a glaring weakness at one of the most important positions on the field while asking even more from Spillane.
The Raiders have filled holes across their roster and will use the NFL Draft and the rest of free agency to continue to do so. While doing so, the Raiders must find a way to bolster the linebacker unit.
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