Rob Leonard to be Raiders DC

[BoKnows81]

[Marzan]

We're going to need a lot more LB's if we're going to be doing more multiple sets. The cupboard is very bare at LB.

[rich72]

I love the idea of a 3-4 defense, we need a big nose guard though and more LB's.

[vtraider]

We're going to need a lot more LB's if we're going to be doing more multiple sets. The cupboard is very bare at LB.

That it is. Eichenburg. Linderbam. And a practice squad player I can't remember the name of is all we currently have

[pfish57]

That it is. Eichenburg. Linderbam. And a practice squad player I can't remember the name of is all we currently have

Another words the cupboard is bare lol

[Attyla]

I love the idea of a 3-4 defense, we need a big nose guard though and more LB's.

So you are going to give the 3-4 base set a chance?

[GoodTimeCharlie]

3-4 aye. Interesting. This is a great draft for huge DT/NT and the DE’s are massive as well. Not a deep draft for twitchy bendy types.

Via ChatGPT…

INTERIOR DEFENSIVE LINE (NT / DT)

Peter Woods – Clemson
6’3”, 315 lbs — Projected: 1st Round

Caleb Banks – Florida
6’6”, 334 lbs — Projected: 1st Round

Kayden McDonald – Ohio State
6’3”, 326 lbs — Projected: 1st Round

Domonique Orange – Iowa State
6’2”, 325 lbs — Projected: Round 2–3

Skyler Gill-Howard – Texas Tech
6’1”, 290 lbs — Projected: Round 3

Bear Alexander – USC
6’3”, 315 lbs — Projected: Round 2–3

Dontay Corleone – Cincinnati
6’1”, 320 lbs — Projected: Round 2–3

Deone Walker – Kentucky
6’6”, 345 lbs — Projected: Round 2

McKinnley Jackson – Texas A&M
6’1”, 325 lbs — Projected: Day 3

Jordan Jefferson – LSU
6’3”, 315 lbs — Projected: Day 3

Jamaree Caldwell – Oregon
6’2”, 340 lbs — Projected: Day 3


EDGE / DEFENSIVE END

T.J. Parker – Clemson
6’3”, 265 lbs — Projected: 1st Round

Rueben Bain Jr. – Miami (FL)
6’3”, 275 lbs — Projected: 1st / Early 2nd

David Bailey – Texas Tech
6’3”, 250 lbs — Projected: Late 1st / Round 2

Dani Dennis-Sutton – Penn State
6’4”, 265 lbs — Projected: Round 1–2

Keldric Faulk – Auburn
6’4”, 280 lbs — Projected: Round 1–2

LT Overton – Alabama
6’5”, 283 lbs — Projected: Round 2–3

Cashius Howell – Texas A&M
6’3”, 265 lbs — Projected: Round 2–3

Zion Young – Missouri
6’4”, 260 lbs — Projected: Round 3

Damon Wilson II – Missouri
6’3”, 260 lbs — Projected: Round 3–4

Mason Thomas – Oklahoma
6’2”, 250 lbs — Projected: Round 3

J.T. Tuimoloau – Ohio State
6’4”, 270 lbs — Projected: Day 3

Princely Umanmielen – Ole Miss
6’4”, 255 lbs — Projected: Day 3

Ashton Gillotte – Louisville
6’3”, 270 lbs — Projected: Day 3

[HesterLayes]

3-4 as mentioned may save Wilson’s career…kind of perfect for it

[GoodTimeCharlie]

Quick and dirty from ChatGPT of the LBs coming out who played primarily in 3-4 in college…

LINEBACKERS WITH 3‑4 / 3‑MAN FRONT SUITABILITY

Arvell Reese – Ohio State
Projected Round: 1st Round | 6’4”, ~243 lbs
Long, athletic linebacker with size and edge‑rush ability; projects as a 3‑4 SAM/OLB or hybrid LB/RUSHER thanks to his size, versatility, and ability to pressure the passer from varied depths.

Anthony Hill Jr. – Texas
Projected Round: 2nd Round | ~6’3”, ~235 lbs
Dynamic linebacker with blitz potential and downhill run ability; fits as a 3‑4 MIKE/WILL and can be asked to blitz as a SAM in 3‑4 schemes.

Deontae Lawson – Alabama
Projected Round: 4th–5th Round | ~6’2”, ~230 lbs
Strong, physical linebacker with run‑first traits; best projected as a 3‑4 ILB who excels attacking gaps and playing downhill.

Jake Golday – Cincinnati
Projected Round: 2nd–3rd Round | ~6’4”, ~240 lbs
Big‑bodied linebacker with physical presence and edge strength; projected as a 3‑4 SAM or hybrid defender in an aggressive front‑seven scheme.

Josiah Trotter – Missouri
Projected Round: 2nd–3rd Round | ~6’2”, ~237 lbs
Downhill defender with trigger speed and edge instincts; fits as an inside and edge hybrid in 3‑4 fronts that stress run disruption.

Keyshaun Elliott – Arizona State
Projected Round: 3rd–4th Round | ~6’2”, ~235 lbs
Physical, tackler‑first linebacker; best suited as a 3‑4 MIKE or SAM depending on scheme emphasis.

Bryce Boettcher – Oregon
Projected Round: 3rd–4th Round | ~6’2”, ~230 lbs
High‑motor linebacker with coverage and pursuit strength; fits as a WILL or 3‑4 weak‑side linebacker in gap‑attack schemes.

Taurean York – Texas A&M
Projected Round: 4th–5th Round | ~6’0”, ~235 lbs
Instinctive, technically sound linebacker; projects as a 3‑4 WILL or zone‑scheme ILB with strong pursuit and communication.

Harold Perkins Jr. – LSU
Projected Round: 4th–5th Round | ~6’1”, ~225 lbs
Hybrid defender with edge rush and space versatility; better suited as a 3‑4 sub‑package OLB/EDGE role given his movement skills.

Isaiah Glasker – BYU
Projected Round: Late Rounds | Size ~TBD
Physical, instinctive linebacker whose traits fit physical fronts like 3‑4 schemes though projection is later round depth.

Romello Height – Texas Tech
Projected Round: Late Rounds | ~6’4”, ~250 lbs
Linebacker prototype that some analysts project as a 3‑4 OLB type given size and instincts, especially in hybrid pass‑rush roles.

[KillerRaider30]

I can see Maxx as an outside linebacker walking down the line to attack from where ever the f[raiders_icon]ck he wans to.
Do the same with Koonce for all care when they rush 5.

Would anyone trade Koonce for that linebacker who was just given permission to seek a trade. Dont remember his name but read he was good. Edmonds maybe?

[Goodtimes333]

3-4 aye. Interesting. This is a great draft for huge DT/NT and the DE’s are massive as well. Not a deep draft for twitchy bendy types.

Via ChatGPT…

INTERIOR DEFENSIVE LINE (NT / DT)

Peter Woods – Clemson
6’3”, 315 lbs — Projected: 1st Round

Caleb Banks – Florida
6’6”, 334 lbs — Projected: 1st Round

Kayden McDonald – Ohio State
6’3”, 326 lbs — Projected: 1st Round

Domonique Orange – Iowa State
6’2”, 325 lbs — Projected: Round 2–3

Skyler Gill-Howard – Texas Tech
6’1”, 290 lbs — Projected: Round 3

Bear Alexander – USC
6’3”, 315 lbs — Projected: Round 2–3

Dontay Corleone – Cincinnati
6’1”, 320 lbs — Projected: Round 2–3

Deone Walker – Kentucky
6’6”, 345 lbs — Projected: Round 2

McKinnley Jackson – Texas A&M
6’1”, 325 lbs — Projected: Day 3

Jordan Jefferson – LSU
6’3”, 315 lbs — Projected: Day 3

Jamaree Caldwell – Oregon
6’2”, 340 lbs — Projected: Day 3


EDGE / DEFENSIVE END

T.J. Parker – Clemson
6’3”, 265 lbs — Projected: 1st Round

Rueben Bain Jr. – Miami (FL)
6’3”, 275 lbs — Projected: 1st / Early 2nd

David Bailey – Texas Tech
6’3”, 250 lbs — Projected: Late 1st / Round 2

Dani Dennis-Sutton – Penn State
6’4”, 265 lbs — Projected: Round 1–2

Keldric Faulk – Auburn
6’4”, 280 lbs — Projected: Round 1–2

LT Overton – Alabama
6’5”, 283 lbs — Projected: Round 2–3

Cashius Howell – Texas A&M
6’3”, 265 lbs — Projected: Round 2–3

Zion Young – Missouri
6’4”, 260 lbs — Projected: Round 3

Damon Wilson II – Missouri
6’3”, 260 lbs — Projected: Round 3–4

Mason Thomas – Oklahoma
6’2”, 250 lbs — Projected: Round 3

J.T. Tuimoloau – Ohio State
6’4”, 270 lbs — Projected: Day 3

Princely Umanmielen – Ole Miss
6’4”, 255 lbs — Projected: Day 3

Ashton Gillotte – Louisville
6’3”, 270 lbs — Projected: Day 3

Caldwell and Walker were last year's draft. Lee Hunter from texas tech is in the draft and is a stud. Caldwell was a great pick by the Chargers in the 3rd round last year

[GoodTimeCharlie]

Caldwell and Walker were last year's draft. Lee Hunter from texas tech is in the draft and is a stud. Caldwell was a great pick by the Chargers in the 3rd round last year

Good lord. That’s a pretty large miss by Chat. I’ll go harangue it a bit, and get it fixed.

[Goodtimes333]

Good lord. That’s a pretty large miss by Chat. I’ll go harangue it a bit, and get it fixed.

A good post regardless. I nearly forgot about Corleone or Bear Alexander. Good draft for the Raiders needs I dare say in where depth is

[chucker]

I can see Maxx as an outside linebacker walking down the line to attack from where ever the f[raiders_icon]ck he wans to.
Do the same with Koonce for all care when they rush 5.

Would anyone trade Koonce for that linebacker who was just given permission to seek a trade. Dont remember his name but read he was good. Edmonds maybe?

Koonce is a FA, so we either re-sign him or he walks. I'd be happy with him returning at a much reduced price. Insiders seem to think Tremaine Edmunds likely just gets released by the Bears - he'd cost a new team $15 million if traded and I don't know that any team wants to pay that plus give the Bears trade compensation.

[GoodTimeCharlie]

A good post regardless. I nearly forgot about Corleone or Bear Alexander. Good draft for the Raiders needs I dare say in where depth is

If we come out of FA with the OLine secured, that would allow us a whole lot of freedom to build the D.

There’s plenty of “sidekick” RBs to be had, and maybe Mendo’s teammate “Black” could end up a UDFA if we don’t nab him with one of the late rounders. I’m thinking any Hoosier worth looking at that doesn’t get drafted will come sign with us due to Mendo.

Not a great draft to secure a “true” #1 at WR. Though Chris Bell I’ll occasionally grab in the 2nd doing mock simulators.

The depth of big burly Defensive Lineman is fantastic for a 3-4. Decent depth at LB. A couple long, but a little light, CBs are available after Day 1. None of them without their warts. A handful of Safeties can be had as well.

If we still have Maxx, he leads all these newbies, but if we end up with another 1st and early Day 2 pick via trade (with another 1st in ‘27 for the true #1 WR), this gets turned around in the blink of an eye.

Shit! Gotta tell the wife to stop buying KoolAid.

[DanKD]

Do we currently have the personnel to successfully run a 3-4? No

Do we currently have the personnel to successfully run any defense? No

May as well go with what you want and start building it up.