Raiders: 5 linebackers to target in 2020 free agency
By Nico Di Fede
5. Neville Hewitt
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Like Jamie Collins and Joe Schobert, Neville Hewitt is also coming off a career year.
After being thrust into a starting position due to injuries, Hewitt finished the season with 75 combined tackles, six tackles for a loss, three sacks, eight quarterback hits, two interceptions, and five deflections.
This was in 12 games after starting only 10 games total in his previous four seasons in the NFL. The Raiders do need linebackers that are proficient in coverage, but they also need an upgrade when it comes to run stuffers with a nose for the ball, and Hewitt fits that bill.
Hewitt may not be the best in pass coverage, which is surprising considering the fact that he is a converted safety, but in base-packages could be an upgrade over Tahir Whitehead and Nicholas Morrow.
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The Raiders need depth at almost every position on the roster, so even if he isn’t a suitable three-down linebacker, he would be a nice addition to go along with a tier-one linebacker the team may go after.