On Sunday the Raiders defeated the New England Patriots 20-13, and after a rough first half things gelled in the second half for the Raiders defense. One of the biggest weaknesses’ for the Raiders in recent seasons has been the play of their linebackers, the Raiders decided to revamp their entire room going into 2025 signing Jamal Adams, Germaine Pratt, Devin White, Elandon Roberts and drafting Cody Lindenberg leaving 2024 5th round pick Tommy Eichenberg the only remaining player from the 2024 season.
Things were wildly unknown with the Raiders linebackers going into this season, and week one should give fans a lot of hope. The Raiders leading tackler was Devin White who logged 11 tackles (8 solo), a TFL, and added a team leading 5 stops. White allowed just 14 yards in coverage on 2 receptions through 5 targets. The 27 year old played 100% of the teams defensive snaps at 71 and he looked like he belonged. White has largely struggled in his career in coverage and run defense, and there’s a good chance that Sunday’s performance was the best game he’s played in his NFL career. Former Seahawks safety Jamal Adams looked extremely comfortable after transitioning to linebacker where he allowed just 5 yards in coverage while also adding a pressure, 3 stops, 3 tackles, and a QB hit. Adams was the teams highest graded player, per PFF at a 90.5 grade and through the 1PM slate of NFL games is also among the top five for ILB grades. Adams was deployed largely in the box while lining up 10 times at ILB, 12 in the slot, and 2 as a wide defensive lineman (where he rushed the passer as a blitzer on both). Lastly, Germaine Pratt logged an 80.1 PFF grade while playing 65 snaps for the team. Pratt was 3rd on the team in tackles with 8 (1 solo), and also added 3 stops and a PBU. Pratt was the weakest of the teams three ILB in coverage but still only allowed 47 yards and an 88.4 QBR on 7 receptions through nine targets. In all, Pratt and Adams were the Raiders top two graded defensive players with Devin White finishing 6th (Tommy Eichenberg was 8th but only played 14 snaps).
The Raiders ask a lot for the linebackers, and Patrick Graham’s defenses have a tendency to get the most out of the position. Adams and Pratt both looked extremely comfortable and the Raiders are relying on big seasons from both. In addition, Devin White is looking like a player that he has never been before in the NFL, and there is a lot of motivation likely coming from within as White could be close to, or already on, his final NFL chance. Overall, the Raiders defense rallied in the second half after making some key adjustments.
