The Las Vegas Raiders have been a very bad team this season. While the defense has played well at times, overall, the group hasn’t been good.
One of the big concerns with the Raiders heading into the season was their linebacker corps. The team moved on from 2024 starters Divine Deablo and Robert Spillane and brought in Devin White, Elandon Roberts and Jamal Adams.
Out of the three, White has the most impressive stats. He’s second in the NFL with 149 combined tackles to go with a sack and 10 tackles for loss. On paper, he’s been very solid for the Raiders this season.
So much so that NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport floated White as a Comeback Player of the Year candidate.
“It’s been a challenging season in Las Vegas, but the Raiders have some success stories — LB Devin White is a big one,” Rapoport wrote on X. “He has emerged as a potential Comeback Player of the Year candidate in DC Patrick Graham’s scheme, as the fifth player in team history to eclipse 140 tackles.
“With one sack, White would join Demario Davis as one of two players since 2019 to get 700+ tackles and 25 sacks.”
Rapoport Gets Slammed for White Comments
White’s numbers are undoubtedly solid for a linebacker on a one-year contract. However, the tape and advanced numbers tell a different story. Many came out to question Rapoport’s assessment of how White has played this season.
“Tackle numbers are one of the most misleading stats. He just hasn’t been good. So many blown assignments,” The Athletic’s Ted Nguyen commented.
“Not sure who needs to hear this, but Devin White has not been good this year,” NFL analyst Sam Monson wrote.
Many pointed out that White’s Pro Football Focus grades have been abysmal.
“Reminder: Comeback player of the year criteria is not coming back from underperforming. It’s coming back from injury,” former NFL player Emmanuel Acho pointed out.
“Everyone dunking on Ian for this,” another person wrote. “And they’re all right. He’s been awful.”
It was certainly an odd choice for Rapoport to send that message out about White. There were some accusations that it was agent-driven.
I don’t think Ian watched Devin White on Sunday,” another commenter wrote. “I know an agent driven tweet when I see one.”
Should Raiders Bring Back White?
White is an interesting case study on how advanced stats and traditional stats can tell two completely different stories. He was a first-round pick and an All-Pro at one point, but doesn’t seem to have much respect around the NFL.
He’ll be a free agent after the season, and it’ll be interesting to see what the Raiders do. He has shown some flashes, and the stats are impressive. He’s not making much money, so it likely wouldn’t cost much to bring him back.
Whether or not the Raiders wnat ot bring him back will depend on the coaching staff. Head coach Pete Carroll has spoken highly of White, so he might want him to return. A new coaching staff would likely be less keen on giving him another contract.
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