Oakland Raiders: A few free agent defensive tackles worth looking at
By Kevin Saito
Carolina’s former first-round pick in 2013, Lotulelei has most definitely not lived up to his billing. More was expected of him when they took him. Much more.
Although he hasn’t been the dominant interior force they were hoping he’d develop into, Lotulelei has been pretty consistent and pretty solid over his five-year career with the Panthers.
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He’s also been very durable over those five years, missing just four games over his career. He’s appeared in 76 of 80 possible regular season games – missing two in 2014 and two more in 2015 – and started 75 of those games.
In his time with the Panthers, Lotulelei has amassed 150 total tackles (88 solo), 11.5 sacks, five passes defensed, forced two fumbles, and recovered two others.
Now, 28-years old, Lotulelei is a free agent and very well could be on the move. At six-foot-three, 311 pounds, Lotulelei is big, physical, and athletic. And although he hasn’t been the dominant force of nature Carolina thought they were getting when they drafted him, he’s played some solid ball.
But, because of the perception that he’s been a draft disappointment given where he was taken – though hardly a “bust” – Lotulelei’s next contract value might possibly take a hit. He earned almost $7 million in 2017 after Carolina picked up the fifth-year option on his contract.
Oakland obviously can’t afford to overpay for a guy who does have some question marks surrounding his game. But, his physical attributes and what he has contributed on the field, should intrigue them enough to at least kick the tires on him.