Silver Minings: Cory Littleton named by PFF as Raiders’ biggest ‘X-Factor’

Pro Football Focus went in depth on all 32 teams, picking every teams biggest strength, weakness and x-factor.

In regards to biggest strength, they said it was Darren Waller, which shouldn’t come as much of a surprise. He’s arguably the best tight end in the NFL and appears to be getting better. Having a great tight end in the NFL is huge, especially when you have one of the best.

For the biggest weakness, PFF said it has to go to LV’s secondary. The article discussed wanting to see more out of Johnathan Abram and Damon Arnette. Per the article, Abram was PFF’s lowest-graded safety in 2020, and Arnette had the sixth-lowest overall grade in his rookie season.

However, those weren’t the ones that stood out from the article. What stood out was who they picked as the Raiders’ biggest ‘X-factor’. Cory Littleton.

Cory Littleton was supposed to highlight Las Vegas’ linebacker group after the Raiders signed him to a three-year, $35.25 million contract last offseason. Instead, he was thoroughly outplayed by Nick Kwiatkoski and Nicholas Morrow in a disappointing 2020 debut with the team. Littleton ranked in the 99th percentile of all off-ball linebackers in coverage grade during his final two seasons with the Rams, and the former undrafted free agent getting back to that form would go a long way towards the Raiders turning things around defensively.

Links

• Sam Monson of Pro Football Focus says Henry Ruggs III can provide a spark for the Las Vegas Raiders offense in Year 2
• Chet Gresham of DraftKings Nation has the Raiders at No. 23 in his power rankings
• Vincent Bonsignore of the LVRJ talks about whether or not Carr and Gruden are on the hot seat entering the 2021 campaign
• If you’re a bobblehead collector, you’ll love this brand new Carl Nassib bobblehead