Entering 2025 Training Camp, Raiders.com is previewing every position group and evaluating the players who will make up the 53-man roster. Take a look at a revitalized linebacking corps.

New players

The Raiders completely renovated their linebacking corps after losing several players in the room in free agency.

In the new additions, the linebacker room has gained a large amount of leadership, experience and most importantly, physicality.

Two of those new players come to desert with Super Bowl rings – Elandon Roberts and Devin White. Roberts has over 100 career starts and 354 solo tackles in his years playing with the New England Patriots, Miami Dolphins and Pittsburgh Steelers. Ironically, his one career interception was against the Las Vegas Raiders in Allegiant Stadium back in 2021.

"[I]t's been great just talking football with him," defensive coordinator Patrick Graham said of Roberts. "And that position is critical for me to be able to speak to him. I don't want him to be coaching, but for us to have a great understanding, because usually that's the spot with the green dot."

White, like guard Alex Cappa, joins the Las Vegas Raiders having originally been drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers while John Spytek was on their staff. The 2021 Pro Bowler has 23 career sacks and 379 solo tackles since entering the league in 2019.

"He's played all over the field before, he's been productive, both in the run, in the pass game, in different ways," Graham said. "Whether it's blitzing, whether it's covering people, whether it's manipulating the front. So, it's always a positive to have a good football player, it's always a positive to have a smart football player."

Germaine Pratt and Jaylon Smith are two other veterans who could immediately contribute. Pratt was signed by the Raiders after being released by the Cincinnati Bengals this offseason. He hasn't missed a game since 2022, and led the Bengals in total tackles (143) and solo tackles (80) last season. Smith was a Pro Bowl caliber linebacker with Dallas Cowboys for several seasons before injuries began hampering him in 2021. He briefly joined the Raiders in 2023, which is the last season he appeared in a game.

The Silver and Black also add three rookies to the room, including Cody Lindenberg, the team's last draft pick in this year's class. He has two First-Team All-Big Ten selections with 117 solo tackles, 13 tackles for loss and eight pass deflections in his collegiate career.

"I think he's a great fit," Raiders director of college scouting Brandon Yeargan said. "He was a green-dot guy for Minnesota. He's played a lot of football for them. He's a high, high-character, high-intangible guy. He's tough, he's competitive. I think he's got really good value in the kicking game too, so I think he's going to be a good addition to that room."

Returning players

Tommy Eichenberg and Amari Gainer are heading into their sophomore seasons with the Silver and Black and are the only two returning linebackers.

Eichenberg, the team's 2024 fifth-round pick from Ohio State, was limited his rookie season due to injuries. He ultimately earned a role on special teams, and appeared in 14 games with one start. According to his coaches and teammates, he's been making strides this offseason to carve a bigger role for himself on defense.

"We're competing, we're trying to get each other better. Tommy Eichenberg is doing a great job in our room," Elandon Roberts said in OTAs.

Gainer is also making the most his opportunities after being one of two rookie UDFAs to make the initial 53-man roster last year. He also became a core special teamer with 380 snaps on special teams in 2024.

"Man, that guy works extremely hard and he talks a lot," Devin White said. "He works extremely hard and he talks a lot, but he will help this team with his energy and his dog mentality."