Joseph Russo from North Carolina asks:
"I know the Raiders have signed two linebackers in free agency on short-term deals, but long term shouldn't linebacker be a priority?"
There's no way the linebacker position isn't a priority for the Raiders, especially considering John Spytek and Pete Carroll's success in the past with dominant linebackers – Von Miller, Lavonte David and Bobby Wagner to name a few.
While on short term deals, Elandon Roberts and Devin White could play crucial roles in Carroll and Patrick Graham's ideal defense. They bring veteran leadership, playoff experience and have a physical play style that Carroll is seemingly trying to replicate from his "Legion of Boom" defenses in Seattle.
Also Joseph, please don't discount the other linebackers currently on the roster. Amari Burney, Amari Gainer and Tommy Eichenberg are all entering their second or third year in the league, still scratching the surface of what they can become. All three of them will receive ample opportunities to earn a role within the defense between now and the start of the season.
The Raiders also used their last pick in the 2025 NFL Draft on a linebacker, Cody Lindenberg from Minnesota. He led the Golden Gophers in total tackles (94) his senior season while racking up six pass deflections.
Bleu Derry said:
"Since the draft, the personnel department has gotten even better and will now have a complete season under it's belt for the next one."
John Spytek added a few established men to the front office and scouting department, all of whom he's worked with before.
Last week, Brian Stark was named assistant general manager and Johnathon Stigall as assistant director of college scouting. Stark spent 13 seasons with the Denver Broncos, most recently serving as their director of college scouting from 2016-2024. He worked with Spytek in Denver from 2013-2015, where they won Super Bowl 50 together.
Stigall worked with the New York Jets for the last 11 seasons and was most recently their national scout. In his tenure with the Jets, the franchise drafted several All-Pro players including Jamal Adams, Quinnen Williams and Sauce Gardner. Spytek and Stigall worked together for the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles from 2006-2012.
The latest addition to the staff is Anthony Patch, who was named as a senior personnel executive. Patch spent 23 seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles, winning two Super Bowl titles with them. He had served as their senior director of college scouting since 2016. The Raiders general manager began his career as an intern in Philadelphia that got promoted to scout under Patch.
John Ray asks:
"How is Wilkins' recovery?"
After a season-ending foot injury, Christian Wilkins has been putting in the work this offseason and attending voluntary workouts.
Regardless of what stage of recovery he's in, Wilkins' presence in the building is vital as the team drafted two defensive tackles in Tonka Hemingway and JJ Pegues. The Raiders also have Jonah Laulu at their disposal, who saw meaningful snaps as a rookie after Wilkins was sidelined. As a defensive leader in the locker room, Wilkins definitely has the ability to mold the younger interior linemen and get them up to speed.
View the best photos from the Raiders' offseason program workout at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Jeremy Chinn (11) at a workout during phase two of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Eric Stokes (22) at a workout during phase two of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Darnay Holmes (30) at a workout during phase two of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Jonah Laulu (96) at a workout during phase two of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Andre Carter II (99) at a workout during phase two of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Malcolm Koonce (51) at a workout during phase two of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) at a workout during phase two of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) and run game coordinator/offensive line coach Brennan Carroll at a workout during phase two of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Lonnie Johnson Jr. (32) at a workout during phase two of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Justin Shorter (88) at a workout during phase two of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Ian Thomas (80) at a workout during phase two of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Jakorian Bennett (0) at a workout during phase two of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (1) at a workout during phase two of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Collin Johnson (17) at a workout during phase two of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) at a workout during phase two of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) at a workout during phase two of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders center Will Putnam (67) at a workout during phase two of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Elandon Roberts (52) at a workout during phase two of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Tommy Eichenberg (45) at a workout during phase two of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Lonnie Johnson Jr. (32) at a workout during phase two of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Chris Smith II (29) at a workout during phase two of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Thomas Harper (34) at a workout during phase two of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (20) at a workout during phase two of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) at a workout during phase two of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) at a workout during phase two of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) and defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) at a workout during phase two of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) leads a huddle at a workout during phase two of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) leads a huddle at a workout during phase two of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Thomas Harper (34) at a workout during phase two of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Jeremy Chinn (11) at a workout during phase two of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Amari Burney (56) at a workout during phase two of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (20) at a workout during phase two of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Trey Taylor (37) at a workout during phase two of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Qadir Ismail (84) at a workout during phase two of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Chris Smith II (29) at a workout during phase two of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Jackson Powers-Johnson (58) at a workout during phase two of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Kolton Miller (74) at a workout during phase two of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Kolton Miller (74) at a workout during phase two of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Dylan Parham (66) at a workout during phase two of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Kolton Miller (74) at a workout during phase two of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Gottlieb Ayedze (72) and run game coordinator/offensive line coach Brennan Carroll at a workout during phase two of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Carter Bradley (14) at a workout during phase two of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Amari Burney (56) at a workout during phase two of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Tommy Eichenberg (45) at a workout during phase two of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Kyu Blu Kelly (36) at a workout during phase two of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Eric Stokes (22) at a workout during phase two of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (20) at a workout during phase two of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Thomas Harper (34) at a workout during phase two of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Chris Smith II (29) at a workout during phase two of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Lonnie Johnson Jr. (32) at a workout during phase two of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tyreik McAllister (13) at a workout during phase two of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Ian Thomas (80) at a workout during phase two of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Qadir Ismail (84) at a workout during phase two of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Kyle Philips (15) at a workout during phase two of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (12) at a workout during phase two of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Collin Johnson (17) at a workout during phase two of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Kristian Wilkerson (83) at a workout during phase two of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Shedrick Jackson (4) at a workout during phase two of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach Pete Carroll and safety Jeremy Chinn (11) at a workout during phase two of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Jeremy Chinn (11) at a workout during phase two of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Trey Taylor (37) at a workout during phase two of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Eric Stokes (22) at a workout during phase two of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Decamerion Richardson (25) at a workout during phase two of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Ovie Oghoufo (90) at a workout during phase two of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Devin White (40) at a workout during phase two of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Elandon Roberts (52) at a workout during phase two of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (20) at a workout during phase two of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Tommy Eichenberg (45) at a workout during phase two of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
