Raiders sign fifth-round pick LB Marquel Lee

The Raiders have not done very much this offseason to address their gaping hole at middle linebacker, and they haven’t re-signed LB Perry Riley Jr. who played reasonably well last season. However, in the fifth round the team drafted ILB Marquel Lee from Wake Forest, and this afternoon he officially became an Oakland Raider.

ALAMEDA, Calif. – The Oakland Raiders have signed fifth-round draft pick LB Marquel Lee, the club announced Friday.

Lee was selected 168th overall by the Raiders in last month’s draft. He played four seasons at Wake Forest, totaling 291 tackles (143 solo), 14.5 sacks, four forced fumbles and two passes defensed. As a senior, Lee set career highs in tackles (105 total, 63 solo), sacks (7.5) and forced fumbles (three) on his way to a spot on the Associated Press All-ACC First Team. He was also named to the All-ACC Second Team by the coaches and media.

The Waldorf, Md., native attended Westlake High School where he was a three-year starter and earned honorable mention all-state honors as a senior. Lee had 70 tackles as a junior while also throwing for over 800 yards as a quarterback.

Lee was reportedly impressive at rookie minicamp, and he will join Corey James and Ben Heeney on the Raiders’ linebacking corps as the guys manning the middle. His college tape is solid and he has good technique and speed. Don’t be surprised to see Lee getting big playing time this season if he continues to develop.