There was plenty to like about the Las Vegas Raiders’ defense in the Week 1 victory over the New England Patriots, as the Patriots were held to just 13 points. One of the unit’s biggest standouts was linebacker Devin White, who led the team with 11 total tackles.
White stood out the most as a run defender, collecting four ‘defensive stops’ at a 26.7 percent rate, per Pro Football Focus. Those figures ranked third and first, respectively, among linebackers for the week (pre-Monday Night Football).
Additionally, he was targeted five times and allowed just two receptions for 14 yards while adding another ‘defensive stop’ in coverage.
With that, let’s dive into the tape and break down the linebacker’s impressive afternoon.
White’s instincts against the run were the primary reason he made so many plays on Sunday, and this first clip is a good example.
Defensive coordinator Patrick Graham deserves credit for this rep, too, as he had a great call for this play from the Patriots. Graham has White and Thomas Booker (the nose tackle) gap exchange where Booker works toward the weakside A-gap or across the center’s face post-snap.
Meanwhile, New England is trying to trap or wham block the nose tackle with the tight end, where the center is supposed to leave the defensive lineman and work up to the second level. However, since Booker’s first move is toward the weakside A-gap, the center can’t get off the line and the tight end is late to adjust. That’s where White’s instincts come in, as he crashes downhill to shoot the gap and make the tackle at the line of scrimmage by the time the tight end adjusts to block him.
A great call from Graham and even better execution from White and Booker.
This next clip is similar to the last one, where Graham has White and Booker gap exchange, and it’s the perfect play call for what the Patriots are running.
The Pats try to run a lead zone where the fullback is supposed to block the linebacker and the center takes care of the nose tackle. However, since the defensive lineman slants in the opposite A-gap and wins across the center’s face, the fullback has to adjust to pick up the defensive lineman. That leaves White free, as he shoots the gap again to get a tackle for loss.
New England tries to get creative here, where tight end Hunter Henry is split out wide but in a reduced split so that he can work across the formation and block the last playside defender on the line of scrimmage. Technically, this is ‘duo’, but it’s really just power where the backside tight end/wide receiver pulls instead of the guard or tackle.
Meanwhile, White steps toward the line of scrimmage initially to be in a position to take away the playside A-gap and then recognizes the play design. Once the running back passes the A-gap, the linebacker knows he can leave his assignment to make the play and does a great job of working over the top of the formation to meet the back in the hole for a short gain.
This is especially encouraging because White shows off some impressive lateral movement skills, which he lacked last season.
This next play comes on third and one, and is another great example of White shooting the gap. What’s impressive about this rep is that he stays patient to let the opening develop, and then attacks downhill to meet the running back at the line of scrimmage and come up with the run stuff.
Also, another nice rep from Booker, who gets penetration against the guard, slowing down the running back in the backfield to help the linebacker make the play.
Finally, we’ll wrap up with White’s best play in coverage from Sunday.
Las Vegas is running a fire zone where the backer opens to the three-receiver side of the offense’s three-by-one formation. His primary responsibility is to take away any crossing routes near the sticks and then rally to the ball against any other route from the No. 3 receiver (furthest inside receiver at the bottom of the screen).
White executes that perfectly, quickly driving on the out route from the wideout to come up with the coverage stop on third down, forcing a field goal attempt.
Overall, White does still have some room for improvement when it comes to taking on blocks in the running game. But the movement skills that he showed in both phases of the game last Sunday were very encouraging for his outlook moving forward.
