What condition the position is in: Assessing Raiders level of need at linebacker

With free agency a month away, it’s time to check in on the Raiders’ linebacker position to give it a condition of either Strong, Stable, Unstable, Serious, or Critical.


Starters: None




Backups: Luke Masterson, Amari Gainer, Amari Burney, Kana’i Mauga, Tommy Eichenberg, Brandon Smith, Jackson Mitchell


Free agents: Robert Spillane, Divine Deablo




Spillane has been the man in the middle for Raiders the past two seasons, putting up over 150 tackles per season while not missing a game. And added some surprising coverage abilities with five interceptions.


Deablo has developed into a solid outside linebacker. The former college safety has been the full time starter the past three seasons. The Amaris — Gainer and Burney — played sparingly in relief when Deablo got banged up last season.


Condition: Serious




The two starting linebackers the past two seasons have been Spillane and Deablo. Both are set to become free agents if not re-signed by the Raiders. Spillane is probably the most crucial to re-sign. He is beloved by his teammates and Maxx Crosby in particular. Just a blue collar, head down, grinder.


Deablo would seem to fit the defense Carroll likes to run. We’ll see if they agree enough to keep him around. If not, there may not be a LB on this team who can step up, so they would have to sign or draft someone.









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