First-Year Raider Evaluations: Bilal Nichols

Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Bilal Nichols wasn't quite as impactful this season as he had been in his final year with the Chicago Bears.

The former fifth-round pick had a career season with the Bears in his 2021 campaign, finishing with 51 combined tackles, 3.0 sacks, two fumble recoveries, and a pass defensed.

This season, despite making two extra starts, Nichols took a step back in his 17 games with the Raiders, totaling 44 combined tackles and only 1.5 sacks. He did, however, add nine quarterback hits.

Nichols' first sign of real promise came in Week 7 against the Houston Texans, when he displayed the type of pressure up front he was brought in to create, finishing the game with four tackles and three quarterback hits.

While short, Nichols' best stretch of the season came in Week 11 and 12 victories over the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks, when he posted five combined tackles in each game. He also tallied half a sack against Seattle.

Nichols registered a season-high six combined tackles against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 16.

His lack of pressure this season could force the Raiders to target some other interior defensive linemen in this year's NFL Draft and/or in free agency during the off-season.

This could be seen as somewhat of a step backward, as Nichols was anticipated to be the solution to that void last off-season.

The 2023 NFL Draft will go from April 27-29 and be held at Union Station in Kansas City, Mo. The NFL Scouting Combine is Feb. 28-March 6, 2023, 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.

Please tell us your thoughts when you like our Facebook Page WHEN YOU CLICK RIGHT HERE.