Oakland Raiders: It’s time to embrace a new outlook on linebacker corps

The Oakland Raiders have experienced perpetual issues filling the linebacker spots with long-term assets. What’s been the problem with their approach?

Looking back at former general manager Reggie McKenzie‘s tenure, it’s clear he didn’t feel the need to invest premium dollars or draft capital in off-ball linebackers. The Oakland Raiders haven’t been able to find continuity on the second level of their defense.

We’d have to highlight Kirk Morrison as the last middle linebacker to string together more than two solid years in a Raiders uniform. The Oakland native’s time with the team ended after just five seasons, and his successors have disappointed ever since.

Rolando McClain, a 2010 first-rounder, underwhelmed. In 2013, Nick Roach came over from the Chicago Bears and looked the part of a starting-caliber middle linebacker but concussion symptoms cut his career short.

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From there, McKenzie slapped a Band-Aid on the bleeding heart of the defense. He would also attempt to use a fifth- or sixth-round picks to fill a significant role that’s had growing importance over the last few years.

In 2016, McKenzie sifted through the scrap heap to find Perry Riley Jr. He acquired NaVorro Bowman after the San Francisco 49ers released him during the 2017 term. Both players were probably the best short-term fixes and joined the team midseason. That alone tells you the status of the position between 2016-17. By the way, neither played another down in the league after their stints with the Raiders.

General manager Mike Mayock and head coach Jon Gruden must view the linebacker position, the middle, weak side and strong side, through an updated lens. Now, offensive coordinators are willing to carve up a defense in the seams areas with pass-catching tight ends. As an example, the Raiders can look at their own offense and how Jared Cook put together a career season, logging 68 catches for 896 yards and six touchdowns in 2018.

Furthermore, the running back position has evolved. Most teams have moved away from bell-cow tailbacks toward committees with a pass-catching back, who can move the chains as a receiver on third downs. As a result, play-callers must field defenders who can handle short-area coverage duties. The Raiders don’t have a high-quality player to fill that role in the linebacker corps.

Last offseason, Oakland signed Tahir Whitehead, but opposing quarterbacks lit him up in coverage. He was targeted 52 times and allowed 44 receptions for 602 yards and seven touchdowns, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required). In today’s league, quarterback Philip Rivers will single him out and attack that area with running backs Melvin Gordon and Austin Ekeler or a tight end.

The Raiders also signed Derrick Johnson, who served as a solid coverage linebacker for the Kansas City Chiefs in his heyday but didn’t have enough juice at 35 years old. Nicholas Morrow isn’t quite ready for an expanded role as a full-time starter.

Overall, Marquel Lee had a decent year, but he’s not an ideal defender in pass coverage. According to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), he played fewer coverage snaps than Morrow (217-157), which indicates the coaching staff didn’t feel comfortable with him in a matchup against pass-catchers.

In 2018, the Raiders allowed the sixth-most receiving yards to tight ends, per Football Outsiders. As free agency approaches, Mayock and Gruden should have a short list of veterans capable of closing the blind spots in the middle of the defense. If C.J. Mosley re-signs with the Baltimore Ravens, Kwon Alexander stands on that second-tier among off-linebackers to pursue in March.

If not, perhaps it’s time to use premium draft capital on a prospect at the position. Devin White, Devin Bush and Mack Wilson deserve some consideration as potential first-rounders. One of them may be available with the 35th overall selection. All of them offer a degree of athleticism, length and quickness at linebacker; the NFL Scouting Combine can confirm those traits.

Offensive transitions will force the Raiders to adapt, defensively. Mayock and Gruden can’t afford to swim against the current and expect progress. They have to toss out the idea of a big-body, two-down linebacker as the centerpiece of a defense.

In 2019 and beyond, it’s more efficient to field an every-down second-level defender, who’s a quick-twitch athlete with the instincts to sniff out the run and coverage skills to track a streaking tight end or running back downfield.

For more grades, advanced statistics and more at Pro Football Focus, subscribe to PFF’s EDGE or ELITE subscriptions at ProFootballFocus.com.