Countdown to Kickoff: Profile on Oakland Raiders No. 51 Bruce Irvin

The Countdown to Kickoff series continues on with a look at new Oakland Raiders linebacker Bruce Irvin who signed a massive free agent contract this off season.

There are exactly 51 days until the Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers open up the 2016 NFL regular season with a Super Bowl rematch. In the meantime, we at NFL Spin Zone are going to profile a player each day as we countdown the days to kickoff.

The Countdown to Kickoff series began with a look at No. 99 Joey Bosa and has continued on everyday since (check out all of the posts here).

Related Story: 2017 NFL Mock Draft

Alex Mack, Mike Pouncey and Paul Posluszny would have all been strong choices for number 51, but an impact linebacker who found a new home this off season was the most interesting choice.

Let’s take a look at new Oakland Raiders linebacker Bruce Irvin.

Irvin signed a four-year, $37 million free agent contract with the Raiders this off season, after spending the first four years of his NFL career with the Seattle Seahawks,

More from Las Vegas Raiders

• 5 NFL teams that will definitely disappoint fans in 2023
• 3 Players the Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders gave up on way too early
• 2024 NFL Draft: Who picks at the top of the draft in April?
• NFL Predictions: 5 Teams that will be drafting a quarterback in 2024
• 5 NFL Head Coaches that could be fired by the end of the 2023 season

Irvin entered the league as a first-round pick (15th overall) by the Seahawks in the 2012 NFL Draft. A projected middle-round pick, the Seahawks taking Irvin in the first round was considered a reach by most in the draft industry.

That being said, his ability to rush the passer on a consistent basis made Irvin an immediate impact player for the Seahawks, and the pick ended up being a major success.

Eventually, Irvin grew into a strong outside pass rusher who also showed great pass coverage skills for a linebacker. Irvin was a bit of a specialist for the Seahawks, but his ability to rush the passer and defend difficult match-up tight ends made him an important weapon in the NFL of today where the passing game is king.

Now, Irvin will take his talents to the Raiders where he will team up with Khalil Mack and company to create a potentially dynamic defensive unit. I imagine that his role in Oakland will be similar to what it was in Seattle.

More from NFL Spin Zone

• Dallas Cowboys made the trade everyone else should have made
• Pittsburgh Steelers rookie sleeper everyone should be talking about
• Anthony Richardson putting jaw-dropping talent on display immediately
• Denver Broncos’ stud wide receiver might be out for a while
• Washington Commanders: Three takeaways from win over Ravens

When the Raiders line up in their base 4-3 defense, Irvin will likely play the strong side linebacker role, with pass coverage being his primary responsibility. However, on obvious passing downs, Irvin will line up as a defensive end or stand-up outside linebacker with the sole purpose of rushing the passer.

With Mack lined up as an impact rusher on the other side, the Raiders could quickly become one of the best pass rushing teams in the entire NFL.

Through great drafting, the Raiders have built an impressive team who could legitimately compete in the AFC this coming season. Mack, quarterback Derek Carr and wide receiver Amari Cooper are the core players, but the Raiders have done an incredible job of supplementing them with talent around them.

must read NFL: NFL All-Under-25 Team

Along with Irvin, the Raiders brought in free agent offensive lineman Kelechi Osemele and cornerback Sean Smith this offseason. Between those three players and the impact guys already on the roster, this team could quickly become a force to be reckoned with.

Irvin’s ability to impact the game in a variety of ways will undoubtedly make him a huge part of this rising team.