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Oakland Raiders: Four UDFA’s who could earn a spot on the 53-man roster

By Kevin Saito

NAPA, CA - AUGUST 05: Marcel Reece #45 runs with the ball during the Oakland Raiders Training Camp at the Napa Valley Marriott on August 5, 2009 in Napa, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)
NAPA, CA - AUGUST 05: Marcel Reece #45 runs with the ball during the Oakland Raiders Training Camp at the Napa Valley Marriott on August 5, 2009 in Napa, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images) /
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Oakland Raiders
GLENDALE, AZ – DECEMBER 30: Linebacker Jason Cabinda #40 of the Penn State Nittany Lions in action during the Playstation Fiesta Bowl against the Washington Huskies at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 30, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Nittany Lions defeated the Huskies 35-28. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Jason Cabinda, LB, Penn State

Oakland has done a good job of transforming what has been one of the worst linebacker groups in the league. Joining Nicholas Morrow and Marquel Lee are Tahir Whitehead, Emmanuel Lamur, and Kyle Wilber – though, Wilber will likely be more prominently figured into the special teams.

And they just added 35-year old Derrick Johnson for some veteran leadership, and to shore up the middle of that second level.

Johnson, on a one-year deal, is obviously a short-term fix, taking over for last year’s short-term fix, NaVorro Bowman.

Moving forward, they’re going to need some long-term help at the position, since they don’t seem inclined to take a marquee linebacker with a high pick (see Tremaine Edmunds and Roquan Smith)

The need for young talent in the second level of the defense could open the door for Penn State UDFA Jason Cabinda to crack the roster.

In four seasons with the Nittany Lions (40 career games), Cabinda amassed 285 tackles (116 solo), 17.5 tackles for a loss, 7.5 sacks, an interception and 11 passes defensed. His 90 tackles, 7.5 tackles for a loss, and 3.5 sacks led Penn State last season.

He’s never going to wow you with his athleticism, but it’s been noted that he has an instinctive nose for the ball, has a very high football IQ, is a relentless in his preparation, and will never be outworked. He’s a grinder – just the sort of player Gruden likes.

He’ll obviously need to prove he can add value on special teams, which is likely what would open the door for him, but Cabinda could wind up being a tremendous asset for the team’s linebackers group.

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