Oakland Raiders: Linebacker Mychal Kendricks set to visit
Free-agent linebacker Mychal Kendricks will visit the Oakland Raiders, barring a contract signing before the meeting. How does he fit within the defense?
The Oakland Raiders will host a Super Bowl champion as the team continues to look at veteran commodities at linebacker.
Former Philadelphia Eagle Mychal Kendricks will visit, per Yahoo Sports reporter Jordan Schultz.
Star Tribune reporter Ben Goessling notes the 27-year old stopped in Minnesota on Tuesday where Eric, his younger brother, plays as a starting middle linebacker:
Kendricks appeared in 15 contests and started 13 in the previous year with the Eagles. He logged nearly 60 percent of the team’s snaps. The six-year veteran profiles as a downhill defender who can pressure the pocket and stop the run.
According to Pro Football Focus, Kendricks logged 40 stops during the 2017 term. In six seasons, he sacked the quarterback 14 times. However, the veteran hasn’t shown consistency as a coverage defender, but Derrick Johnson would likely fill the void, especially in nickel formations.
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
A combination featuring Kendricks and Johnson would provide a wealth of experience at the inside linebacker position. However, it limits snaps for second-year pro Marquel Lee and rookies Azeem Victor and Jason Cabinda. Nonetheless, head coach Jon Gruden has pushed for competition across the roster in order to seek out the best 53-man roster.
Assuming Bruce Irvin makes a full-time move to defensive end opposite Khalil Mack, Tahir Whitehead or Kendricks could fill the strong-side linebacker spot. The addition allows defensive coordinator Paul Guenther to experiment with combinations.
Unless the Raiders feel they can expand Kendricks’ duties as a solid three-down linebacker with a role in nickel, the unit doesn’t need a two-down contributor on the second level with Lee still pushing for an opportunity to shine.
The previous coaching staff kept Lee off the field on passing downs last year. According to Pro Football Focus, he played 52 snaps in coverage and allowed eight receptions and touchdown out of nine targets.
Next: NFL 2018: One breakout candidate for each team
With the Cincinnati Bengals, Guenther helped develop linebacker Vincent Rey into a starting contributor after he went undrafted in 2010. Don’t count out Cabinda as a “camp body.”
Nonetheless, Kendricks’ solid play near the line of scrimmage would still land him a significant role in Oakland. It’s still a unit in transition, and Guenther must identify his playmakers.