Linebacker is one of the strongest positions on the Raiders. With one of the league’s top players overall in Khalil Mack leading the way and some great depth. Here is what I expect the unit will look like come the season.
Starters
Khalil Mack – 3rd year
Malcolm Smith – 6th year
Bruce Irvin – 5th year
Ben Heeney – 2nd year
Mack is coming off an historic season, becoming the only player in history to be named All Pro at two different positions (LB/DE). Irvin joins the squad as a free agent addition. With Mack and Irvin taking the outside linebacker/pass rusher spots, Smith and Heeney will once again take the inside. Both Smith and Heeney are versatile enough to stuff the run as well as drop into coverage. Smith should man the middle linebacker spot in a 4-3 alignment with Heeney joining him at inside linebacker in the 3-4. Or Smith can play outside with Heeney at MLB when Mack lines up as a defensive end. There are some good options available here.
Reserves
Neiron Ball – 2nd year
Shilique Calhoun – Rookie (D-3)
James Cowser – Rookie (UDFA)
Daren Bates – 4th year
Korey Toomer - 3rd year
Ball does his best work on the weakside and dropping into coverage. Calhoun is in the same mold as Mack in his ability to rush the passer from the outside linebacker spot. Cowser has shown well thus far as an outside rusher. Bates is primarily a special teamer, where he was a team captain with the Rams. Toomer is an inside linebacker, which would make him the only ILB depth behind Smith and Heeney. He also excels on special teams.
Practice squad
Cory James – Rookie (D-6)
James will be given every opportunity to beat out Daren Bates to make this team, but ultimately depth could send him to the practice squad which could be a good place for his NFL career to begin to let him develop.
The rest
John Lotulelei – 3rd year
Kyrie Wilson – Rookie (UDFA)
53-man roster projection (40/53)
Quarterbacks (3)
Derek Carr
Matt McGloin
Connor Cook
Running backs (4)
Latavius Murray
DeAndre Washington
Jamize Olawale
Taiwan Jones
Wide receivers (5)
Amari Cooper
Michael Crabtree
Seth Roberts
Andre Holmes
Joe Hansley
Tight end (3)
Clive Walford
Lee Smith
Mychal Rivera
Offensive line (8)
Donald Penn
Kelechi Osemele
Rodney Hudson
Gabe Jackson
Menelik Watson
Austin Howard
Jon Feliciano
Vadal Alexander
Defensive line (8)
Dan Williams
Mario Edwards Jr
Denico Autry
Jihad Ward
Justin Ellis
Damontre Moore
Leon Orr
Stacy McGee
Linebackers (9)
Khalil Mack
Bruce Irvin
Malcolm Smith
Ben Heeney
Neiron Ball
Shilique Calhoun
James Cowser
Daren Bates
Korey Toomer
Bubble watch
RB Roy Helu Jr
TE Gabe Holmes
OL Matt McCants
Practice squad (8/10)
RB Jalen Richard
WR Max McCaffrey
WR Jaydon Mickens
OL Denver Kirkland
OL Oni Omoile
DT Darius Latham
DE Greg Townsend Jr
LB Cory James
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