The Las Vegas Raiders remade their linebacker room in free agency, but the draft could still bring reinforcements at the position.
General manager John Spytek signed Nakobe Dean and Quay Walker on the first day of free agency, giving the Raiders a pair of former Georgia teammates to anchor the inside of their new 3-4 defense under first-year coordinator Rob Leonard. The moves dramatically altered the team’s linebacker outlook, which had been a major concern entering the offseason.
Still, with 10 picks in the 2026 NFL draft, the Raiders are expected to add depth at inside linebacker later in the process. The starting duo of Dean and Walker is set, but behind them are Tommy Eichenberg, Cody Lindenberg, Jamin Davis and Segun Olubi.
Current roster
Inside: Walker, Dean, Eichenberg, Lindenberg, Davis, Olubi
Outside: Maxx Crosby, Kwity Paye, Malcolm Koonce, Charles Snowden, Tyree Wilson, Brennan Jackson, Jahfari Harvey
Leonard will use multiple looks and is expected to field five defensive backs more often than not, meaning the Raiders won’t always have four linebackers on the field. Several former defensive ends from the previous scheme will now line up as outside linebackers.
Given those factors, linebacker is not a massive priority. But if an elite pass rusher falls to them, Spytek likely wouldn’t hesitate to pull the trigger.
Mid-round possibilities
Anthony Hill Jr., Texas; Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech; Josiah Trotter, Missouri; Deontae Lawson, Alabama; Kyle Lewis, Pittsburgh; Jaishawn Barham, Michigan
Hill is projected to go early in the second round, which might be too rich for the Raiders’ needs. He plays sideline to sideline with intensity and can be used in coverage or as a blitzer. Rodriguez is a quarterback on defense who plays a step ahead. Trotter is strong against the run but limited in pass coverage. Lawson’s film is excellent, though he is undersized. Barham is also undersized but has been stout against the run and flashes pass rush ability.
Later-round possibilities
Taurean York, Texas A&M; Keyshaun Elliott, Arizona State; Harold Perkins Jr., LSU; Bryce Boettcher, Oregon; Kaleb Elarms-Orr, TCU; Trey Moore, Texas; Red Murdock, Buffalo; Justin Jefferson, Alabama; Jimmy Rolder, Michigan; Aiden Fisher, Indiana; Lander Barton, Utah; Jack Dingle, Cincinnati
Dingle is a late-round projection but visited the Raiders’ facility for a top 30 visit. He has prototypical size and speed in coverage, even if his college production doesn’t match. Perkins was a five-star recruit who starred as a freshman but has been derailed by injuries and a position change. The traits remain, making him a worthwhile flier late. York can contribute on passing downs and special teams. Rolder is a thumper in the run game with coverage concerns.
