Raiders Defensive FAs Contribute to Turnaround

The Las Vegas Raiders invested in their defense through free agency in 2023, and that was a large part of their turnaround.

The Las Vegas Raiders needed to improve their defense heading into the 2023 season.

In turn, they invested cap space during free agency on that side of the ball. Those players would become significant contributors to the Raiders’ defensive turnaround.

The Raiders ranked 28th in total defense, 29th in passing defense, 19th in run defense, and 26th in scoring defense in 2022. They were an ineffective defense in any facet of the game in Defensive Coordinator Patrick Graham’s first season.

In his second season, the Raiders finished 15th in total defense, 12th in passing defense, 21st in run defense, and ninth in scoring defense. The changes to that side of the ball were tremendous and evident, especially during the second half of the season.

Some of the Raiders’ free agent acquisitions were major factors in the unit’s improvement, including linebacker Robert Spillane, safety Marcus Epps and defensive tackle John Jenkins.

The Raiders sought players who fit Graham’s scheme and the Silver and Black culture, and found them with these three.

Spillane provided the Raiders’ linebacker group stability and a tenacious, competitive edge. He had the best season of his career under Graham and Interim Coach Antonio Pierce, with 148 total tackles, seven tackles for losses, four quarterback hits, and three and a half sacks.

Spillane came up clutch at times, too, recording timely tackles and crucial interceptions, including one late in the game against the Green Bay Packers and another late in the fourth quarter against the New York Jets.

Epps was a stabilizing presence at free safety, playing more than 1,000 snaps, according to Pro Football Focus. Epps posted 66 total tackles, four tackles for losses, three passes defended and a forced fumble. He was excellent against the run, posting 13 run-stuffs from his safety position.

Jenkins was a force on the interior, posting a career-high 24 total tackles, four tackles for losses, a sack and four passes defended. He also recorded a career-high 28 run-stuffs, according to PFF.

Jenkins hits free agency, while Spillane and Epps haveat least one more season with the Raiders. The Silver and Black made investments on defense through free agency, and they paid off tremendously. 

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