Oakland Raiders: What to expect from the team’s young linebackers?

The Oakland Raiders have once again revamped their linebacker core heading into 2019. But what should we expect from the team’s young linebackers this year?

The Oakland Raiders linebacker core was one of the weaknesses on a defensive unit that lacked many strengths, to begin with. But Oakland clearly recognized it as a point of emphasis this offseason and brought in an influx of new talent.

The likes of Vontaze Burfict and Brandon Marshall will join 2018 holdover Tahir Whitehead as the team’s three projected starters in the base 4-3 package. However, the trio will each be 29-years-old this upcoming season and aren’t getting any younger.

While each has played at a pretty high level in the past, it’s also clear that their best years are behind them. And it’s doubtful that the Raiders view any of them as long-term solutions at the position.

That means that the team is going to have to completely revamp their linebacker core once again in the near future. So the question should be, can any of the Raiders current young linebackers make an impact not only in 2019, but in the future as well?

Perhaps the player best-suited to not only have a future role with the team but perhaps usurp one of the veterans this season is Nicholas Morrow. The 24-year-old Morrow will be competing with Marshall for the starting weak-side linebacker job this summer.

The 2017 undrafted rookie has played all 32 games with the Raiders over the last two seasons making 10 starts and establishing himself as perhaps the best coverage linebacker on the roster. His stout special teams contributions should help make him a lock for a roster spot.

Marshall gives the team experience and likely better tackling and the former Denver Broncos linebacker was a solid coverage linebacker back a few years ago. But age has taken its toll on Marshall whose body is likely older than his age indicates.

Don’t be surprised to see Morrow take over a role as one of the two nickel linebackers given his coverage abilities and speed advantage.

Another young linebacker that has seen plenty of snaps over the past two seasons is Marquel Lee. Lee was originally a fifth-round pick back in 2017 and has started 16 of his 29 games played since entering the league.

The Raiders have seemingly given Lee opportunity after opportunity only for his playing time to dwindle each of the last two seasons. That doesn’t bode well for Lee who seems to be passed on the depth chart by Morrow due to the latter’s coverage ability.

The Wake Forest product did finish second on the team with 69 tackles last season but struggled when it came to coverage. If Lee could find a way to earn more snaps on defense this season — probably at strong-side linebacker — then he could salvage a future role with the team.

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If not, he could just be limited to special teams in the near and distant future.

Another young linebacker who could be given a look is Penn State product Jason Cabinda. Cabinda signed on with the team as an undrafted free agent last season and after spending the first half of the season on the practice squad, he was called up and even saw some decent playing time.

The 23-year-old would make 10 appearances and three starts playing mostly special teams but also seeing some looks at middle linebacker. Cabinda isn’t the best athlete or greatest coverage linebacker, but he is a high-work-ethic player with a nose for the ball-carrier.

If Burfict were to go down, Cabinda would likely be the first man up. But it’s unlikely we see him receive any significant snaps on defense otherwise.

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There’s also veteran Kyle Wilber and undrafted rookie Te’von Coney who will each be competing for one of the final roster spots this summer. Both will primarily be special teamers but Coney could have potential as a run-stopping, two-down linebacker down the line.

Ultimately, the health and declining abilities of each of the Raiders projected starting linebackers will likely mean that we see some of the younger players this season.

While the team doesn’t exactly have a long-term solution at the position just yet, they do seem to have much better depth than in recent years. And the combination of experienced veterans and promising youngsters could prove valuable this year and in the future.

Here’s to hoping that at least one of the team’s young linebackers establishes themselves as a future starter on the Raiders’ defense.