The Las Vegas Raiders signed Germaine Pratt Thursday, a few days after he was released by the Cincinnati Bengals.
The new linebacker adds depth and experience to a young Raiders defense as he heads into his seventh NFL season. Here are a few things to know about Pratt and what he brings to the Silver and Black.
Back with the Pack
The Raiders locker room won't be too foreign for Pratt, considering two of the team's top contributors were his college teammates.
The High Point, North Carolina, native played for the NC State Wolfpack from 2014-18, accumulating 236 tackles, six sacks, four forced fumbles and three interceptions in his collegiate career. He was named First-Team All-ACC his senior season, and then proceeded to post a 4.57 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine.
While at NC State, he played alongside All-Pro punter AJ Cole and receiver Jakobi Meyers.
Additionally the Raiders signed Alex Cappa this offseason, who played alongside Pratt for two seasons with the Bengals.
Providing flexibility
After being selected in the third round by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2019 NFL Draft, he quickly emerged as a leader of their defense.
By his second season in the league, he was named their full-time starting middle linebacker – recording 88 starts in his tenure. He hasn't missed a game since 2022 and led the Bengals in tackles last year (80 solo, 143 combined).
It's also worth noting that Pratt has experience playing inside and outside linebacker throughout his career, bringing the ability to be interchangeable in the Raiders defense.
"[H]e's a really hard-nosed kid, tough kid, played a lot of football, has been really healthy, has played all of the positions to give us a flexibility that really will help us," Pete Carroll said of signing Pratt. "We've been really pleased with Elandon [Roberts], he did a great job of taking over the leadership position and calling everything, and Devin [White] has done a really nice job too. To put these three guys together where they're on the field at the same time, that's a loaded-up group. And they're all tough and they're all physical and they're all downhill players, which is the style that we love to play with."
Playoff heroics
Alongside linebackers Elandon Roberts and Devin White, Pratt made a Super Bowl run with his former team.
Pratt has logged seven playoff games in his career, totaling 32 solo tackles and four pass deflections in those outings. He started in Super Bowl LVI when Cincinnati was narrowly defeated by the Los Angeles Rams, 23-20.
A big moment for him in those 2021 NFL playoffs ironically came against the team he just signed with. His interception at the goal line in the closing seconds of the AFC Wild Card game gave the Bengals their first playoff victory in over 30 years.
Take a look inside Intermountain Health Performance Center at the best shots from the final day of mandatory minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Jeremy Chinn (11) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Eric Stokes (22) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle JJ Pegues (92) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Lonnie Johnson Jr. (32) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Tank Booker (73) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Leki Fotu (95) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Charles Snowden (49) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Justin Shorter (88) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Alex Bachman (81) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Alex Bachman (81) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Elandon Roberts (52) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Caleb Rogers (76) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Elandon Roberts (52) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Pat Conroy (86) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jack Bech (18) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) and running backs coach Deland McCullough on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Raheem Mostert (31) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Greedy Vance (41) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Thomas Harper (34) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Darien Porter (26) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Jeremy Chinn (11) and linebacker Elandon Roberts (52) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Darien Porter (26) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Sam Webb (27) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Chris Smith II (29) and linebacker Tommy Eichenberg (44) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman Adam Butler (69) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Decamerion Richardson (25) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach Pete Carroll on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Qadir Ismail (84) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Chris Smith II (29) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Justin Shorter (88) and center Will Putnam (67) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach Pete Carroll on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Devin White (45) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham and linebacker Elandon Roberts (52) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tommy Mellott (19) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Dylan Laube (23) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle DJ Glaze (71) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (12) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Parker Clements (70) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) and linebacker Devin White (45) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders equipment specialist John Miranda on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Jeremy Chinn (11) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Elandon Roberts (52) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Jaylon Smith (54) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Shedrick Jackson (4) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Trey Taylor (37) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (12) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Tonka Hemingway (97) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Tonka Hemingway (97) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Malcolm Koonce (51) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Zach Carter (93) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Tyree Wilson (9) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman Adam Butler (69) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (12) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Leki Fotu (95) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Tank Booker (73) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Carter Bradley (14) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Tyree Wilson (9) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Jonah Laulu (96) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Cam Miller (5) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Treven Ma'ae (68) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (12) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Tonka Hemingway (97) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Jonah Laulu (96) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman Adam Butler (69) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Leki Fotu (95) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Cam Miller (5) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Tyree Wilson (9) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Jonah Laulu (96) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman Adam Butler (69) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Leki Fotu (95) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Malcolm Koonce (51) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Charles Grant (60) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Malcolm Koonce (51) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders center Will Putnam (67), guard Caleb Rogers (76) and tackle Parker Clements (70) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman Laki Tasi (79) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Dylan Parham (66) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Zakhari Franklin (82) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Kyle Philips (15) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Shedrick Jackson (4) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Key'Shawn Smith (83) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle JJ Pegues (92) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Jahfari Harvey (75) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. (10) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Ketron Jackson Jr. (85) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Tonka Hemingway (97) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (87) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Ian Thomas (80) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Collin Johnson (17) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. (10) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Ketron Jackson Jr. (85) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (87) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Thomas Harper (34) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (12) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tommy Mellott (19) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Jeremy Chinn (11) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tommy Mellott (19) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (20) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Lonnie Johnson Jr. (32) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Chris Smith II (29) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Jonathan Sutherland (40) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Dylan Laube (23) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Zamir White (3) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2), running back Sincere McCormick (28) and running back Raheem Mostert (31) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Elandon Roberts (52) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach Pete Carroll on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Key'Shawn Smith (83) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Zakhari Franklin (82) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach Pete Carroll on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders alumnus Lincoln Kennedy on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders running backs coach Deland McCullough on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (87) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Caleb Rogers (76) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders center/guard Jackson Powers-Johnson (58) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Kolton Miller (74) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Justin Shorter (88) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Raheem Mostert (31) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Tonka Hemingway (97) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle JJ Pegues (92) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (8) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders vice president of player personnel Brandon Hunt on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders General Manager John Spytek on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Tank Booker (73) on the field for mandatory minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
