Las Vegas Raiders: All three rookie safeties could see snaps in 2021
The Las Vegas Raiders invested plenty of capital in the 2021 NFL Draft on the secondary, more specifically the safety position. After selecting TCU safety Trevon Moehrig in the second round, the Raiders selected Virginia Tech’s Divine Deablo in the third round. They added to the room on day three, selecting Missouri’s Tyree Gillespie.
It was a lot of capital for a team that had just gutted their offensive line and needed more help on defense. However, it makes sense when looking at each prospect.
It’s also possible that each player gets snaps in year one for the Las Vegas Raiders.
It starts with the scheme that new defensive coordinator Gus Bradley is bringing to Vegas. His Cover-3-heavy scheme will feature plenty of base looks in the 4-3. Both Maxx Crosby and Yannick Ngakoue will be able to put their hand in the dirt and get after the quarterback. More importantly though, his scheme needs to have a true centerfielder to play the umbrella of the defense.
This is where Moehrig comes in. Moehrig was exceptional on the Horned Frogs defense playing in single high looks, and that’ll translate to the Las Vegas Raiders and Bradley’s scheme. He has great route recognition skills to be a cornerstone of the defense, and displays the versatility to play in the slot as well. His playmaking ability showed up back in 2019, and if he can create turnovers like he did then, his impact could be massive in year one. It’s likely Moehrig is the starter from day one and should log a lot of snaps in 2021.
Another thing the Raiders needed was some depth at linebacker. After Nick Kwiatkoski and Cory Littleton, there isn’t much depth to come in for impact snaps if either go down with injury. Despite playing some in the slot and in deep half looks, it sounds like Divine Deablo may get a look at WILL linebacker. At 6’3″ and 226 pounds, Deablo fits the profile of the new linebacker/safety hybrid role that is gaining steam on defenses.
While Deablo will have to make an adjustment, he has the physical traits in coverage and the ability to slip through blocks to make plays. His vision is good and there’s a good chance he gets reps somewhere on the defense later in the year.
Last on the list for the safeties drafted by the Raiders is Gillespie. Gillespie was a favorite by many analysts later in the process, and it’s easy to see why. He put together some great tape against Alabama in 2020 and turned some heads down in Mobile. Gillespie is a quick closer to the football and a physical tackler. He’s also got some coverage chops.
The nickel spot is a spot up for grabs in 2021. Damon Arnette might not earn an outside starting job with Casey Hayward signed, and he could be relegated to the slot. But, it isn’t guaranteed. Gillespie is someone who could find his way into some slot snaps in year one, and with his experience on the back end, could spell Moehrig if he’s moved around at all.
The Las Vegas Raiders have starting jobs up for grabs, and with a group of young talent coming in at the safety position, it’s entirely possible that all three of these guys get significant playing time in year one.