Raiders LBs Must Improve in Coverage in 2023

The Las Vegas Raiders linebackers will have to be better at covering pass catchers this season.

The Las Vegas Raiders had a brutal defensive season in 2022 and want to change that heading into the 2023 campaign.

Their efforts to improve the defense involved adding to the linebacker position through free agency and the 2023 NFL Draft.

While the Raiders did not select a linebacker until the seventh round in Florida’s Amari Burney, his rare athleticism and high ceiling could get him on the field sooner than expected.

The most significant addition at the linebacker position came from Robert Spillane, who signed a two-year, $9-million contract in March. Spillane is coming off a career year with the Pittsburgh Steelers and has been lauded for his high football IQ and excellent instincts.

The Raiders also are hoping for a healthy season from Divine Deablo, who enters his third year with the team. Last season Deablo played only eight games after sustaining a broken arm but posted 74 tackles in those eight games.

As Spillane and Deablo will be on the field the most for Defensive Coordinator Patrick Graham’s unit this season, there is one thing both players must do for the Raiders to be a better defensive team: they both must improve in coverage.

While Spillane does have great instincts, he is limited athletically and has struggled in coverage over the last couple of seasons. Deablo is ultra-athletic with great speed but even struggled in coverage while healthy.

The Raiders play in a division with one of the most dynamic receiving threats in the NFL over the middle in Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.

Even beyond Kelce, Denver Broncos tight end Greg Dulcich is a player many expect to have a breakout season in 2023. Los Angeles Chargers wide receivers Keenan Allen and Quentin Johnston also like to operate over the middle of the field.

The Raiders’ linebackers will have their work cut out for them this season in coverage, facing some very good, pass-heavy offenses this season. They will keep themselves in games defensively if Spillane and Deablo can improve against the pass and change the dynamic of the entire Raiders’ defense.

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