The Las Vegas Raiders announced on Monday that they have agreed to a deal with unrestricted free-agent linebacker Devin White. The six-year veteran spent last year with the Houston Texans after spending his first five NFL seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
White gives the Raiders a rangy linebacker with sideline-to-sideline speed who, at his best, was one of the best players at his position in the league. With the Raiders losing Robert Spillane, their top tackler from a season ago, White has the opportunity to step into a big role in Patrick Graham’s defense.
White appeared in just seven games with the Texans last year, finishing the season with just 19 tackles. But prior to that, he was a staple for the Bucs, never totaling less than 83 tackles in any season in Tampa Bay. His best year, undoubtedly, came in 2020, when he was named a Second-Team All-Pro and totaled 140 tackles, 15 tackles for loss and nine sacks.
That continued in the playoffs that year, as he had 38 tackles, two fumble recoveries, and two interceptions in helping lead the Bucs to a Super Bowl Championship.
Now, White will have the opportunity to help elevate this Raiders defense in Pete Carroll’s first year as head coach. The unit has taken some losses this offseason with both Spillane and Divine Deablo gone from the linebacker spot as well as safety Tre’von Moehrig. But the additions of White and safety Justin Chinn should help to offset those losses and a return to health from Maxx Crosby and Christian Wilkins up front should provide a great boost.
At just 27 years old White still should have plenty left in the tank and he will no doubt be motivated to show that last season in Houston was just a blip on the radar and he can get right back on track in Las Vegas.
Raiders set to meet with Texas QB Quinn Ewers prior to NFL Draft
The Raiders will also have the opportunity to add some talent in the upcoming NFL Draft though much of the rumblings there have been on the team adding offensive talent as the likes of Shedeur Sanders and Ashton Jeanty have been brought up as possibilities in the first round.
Another intriguing talent is quarterback Quinn Ewers of Texas who is expected to be a Day 2 selection and apparently there is some interest from the Raiders. A recent report noted Las Vegas is one of the team’s set to meet with Ewers for a pre-draft visit.
Even though the Raiders have traded for Geno Smith to be their starting quarterback, it doesn’t mean the team can’t develop another young player at the position, and the talent is certainly there for Ewers.
