Raiders free agent pitch adds 137-tackle Cardinals free agent to fill huge need
Context:
The Las Vegas Raiders are actively working to strengthen their roster following a disappointing 2024 season by hiring a new general manager, head coach Pete Carroll, and quarterback Geno Smith. Despite improvements, the team still needs to address positions like cornerback, wide receiver, and linebacker before the 2025 season begins. Linebacker Kyzir White, who had a standout season with the Arizona Cardinals in 2024, is being considered as a valuable addition to the Raiders. White's exceptional run defense and consistent tackle performance could make him a key player alongside Elandon Roberts, though his pass coverage skills need improvement. With ample cap space, the Raiders are in a good financial position to potentially sign White for an estimated two-year contract worth $5.8 million annually, enhancing their run-stopping capabilities significantly.
Dive Deeper:
The Las Vegas Raiders have undergone significant changes after a disappointing 2024 season, bringing in a new general manager, head coach Pete Carroll, and quarterback Geno Smith to raise expectations for the upcoming year.
While the team has addressed several critical gaps in its roster, there remain pressing needs at cornerback, wide receiver, and linebacker that must be filled before the 2025 season starts.
Kyzir White, a free agent linebacker who played for the Arizona Cardinals in 2024, is identified as a strong candidate to join the Raiders due to his impressive tackling ability and run defense skills.
In the 2024 season, White recorded 137 tackles, 2.5 sacks, nine tackles for loss, and one interception, highlighting his capacity to perform consistently on the field.
Although White's pass coverage is not as strong, his partnership with Elandon Roberts could form one of the best run-stopping linebacker duos in the league, given his elite run defense.
Projections suggest that White could be signed for a two-year deal at $5.8 million per year, and with the Raiders having approximately $36 million in cap space, this acquisition would be financially feasible.
The Raiders are poised to enhance their defensive lineup significantly by potentially adding White, which would address a crucial area of need as they prepare for the 2025 NFL season.
The Las Vegas Raiders have had a productive offseason, but it's safe to say they could use more help.
After another disappointing season in 2024, the team cleaned house and opted to find a new general manager, head coach, and quarterback. With veteran coach Pete Carroll now leading the team and Geno Smith under center, expectations are much higher now than they were last offseason.
Overall, the team has done well to address the biggest holes on the roster. However, there are still some spots that need to be addressed before the 2025 season begins, such as cornerback, wide receiver, and linebacker.
Levi Damien of Raiders Wire recently identified some players who remain available on the open market and should be of interest to Las Vegas. Damien listed linebacker Kyzir White as a realistic option who could help the Raiders in 2025.
White spent 2024 with the Arizona Cardinals and is one of the top off-ball linebackers remaining on the market. Regarding White's fit in Las Vegas, Damien offered the following:
His 137 tackles last season were the second most of his career. He and Devin White (no relation) could battle for the starting WILL LB spot.
As Damien mentioned, the veteran had a productive year in 2024. White collected 137 tackles, which was the second-most in his career behind his 2021 season in which he ended with 144.
Overall, White finished the 2024 season with 137 tackles, 2.5 sacks, nine tackles for loss, and one interception. The linebacker has collected at least 100 tackles in three different seasons and has at least one interception in five of his seven pro seasons.
In Vegas, White would likely battle Devin White for the starting spot next to free agent addition Elandon Roberts. The Raiders could certainly use more competition at the position, as Devin White has struggled at multiple stops around the league.
White has never been elite in pass coverage, and he ended the 2024 season with a pitiful 32.0 coverage grade from Pro Football Focus. That mark ranked White 174th out of 189 qualified linebackers.
However, what White lacks in pass coverage skills, he makes up for with elite run defense. White earned a 73.0 run defense grade and rarely misses a tackle.
With a combination of Roberts and Kyzir White, the Raiders would have one of the best run-stopping linebacker duos in the league.
Spotrac projects White to land a two-year pact worth $5.8 million annually. Over the Cap has the Raiders at around $36 million in remaining cap space, so this deal would be easy to get done from a financial standpoint.
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