Marcus Epps Entering Second Season with Raiders

Safety Marcus Epps is entering his second season with the Las Vegas Raiders and looks to continue being a factor in the Silver and Black's defensive back room.

Dec 14, 2023; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders safety Marcus Epps (1) reacts after forcing a / Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

The Las Vegas Raiders have many offensive and defensive players entering their second season with the team.

One of those players is defensive back Marcus Epps, a veteran safety who comes off a big first year with the Silver and Black.

Epps signed a two-year, $12-million contract with the Raiders during 2023 NFL free agency. In his first season with the club, he totaled 66 total tackles, 41 solo tackles, four tackles for loss and three passes defended.

His best game last season came in Week 18 against the Denver Broncos. Epps finished the game with eight total tackles (four solo tackles) in the season finale, en route to Las Vegas' 27-14 win.

In five years as a safety, Epps has played in 79 games and has 275 combined tackles, 190 solo tackles, 18 passes defended, eight tackles for loss and three interceptions.

In an episode of "Las Vegas Raiders Insider Podcast" from April 7, our Hondo Carpenter Sr. broke down the Raiders' defensive back room, including sixth-year safety Epps.

"Here's a guy going into his second year with the Raiders," Carpenter said. "He's the quarterback of the Raiders' defensive backfield. He is tough as nails.

"Marcus Epps came from the Super Bowl-playing team, the Philadelphia Eagles," Carpenter continued. "They [the Eagles] wanted to keep him, but they needed help to keep him financially. So the Raiders got him, and there was a market for Epps and a good market for him, but he wanted to be with the Raiders."

Carpenter also gave an example from last season of how Epps is an excellent communicator in the Raiders' defensive backfield.

"I don't remember when it was last year, but it was in one game where Epps moved a corner, and the corner was able to run the route and get an interception," Carpenter said. "I said if it were hockey, he would have had an assist because he put the corner in the right spot, and the corner got the interception.

"He's a tough player, and I like Epps a lot. He is a good player and underrated. He's a legitimate safety and good on this team."

It will be interesting to see what Epps will bring as he enters his second season with the Silver and Black.

You can watch the "Las Vegas Raiders Insider Podcast" episode from April 7 here.

The NFL Draft will be held in Detroit, Mich., on April 25-27, 2024. The Las Vegas Raiders currently have the No. 13 overall pick.

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