Since the late Al Davis joined the Raiders in 1963, the franchise has an esteemed reputation for transforming cast-offs and misfits into Pro Bowl-caliber players in the Silver and Black. Though the season is just seven weeks old, Devin White is poised to become the latest reclamation project to bounce back with the Raiders.
The one-time Pro Bowler was once viewed as an elite linebacker with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after playing a pivotal role on a championship defense. The 6-foot, 252-pounder was a rare find as an inside linebacker with elite pass-rushing skills.
In five seasons with the Buccaneers, White amassed 566 total tackles, 40 tackles for loss, 23 sacks, six forced fumbles and nine fumble recoveries in 76 games. Considering he nearly totaled double-digit sacks during his second season as a pro (White finished with nine sacks and 15 tackles for loss in 2020), the fifth overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft played like the blue-chip player coaches and scouts envisioned when scouting the LSU product.
After falling out of favor in Tampa Bay amid a contract dispute, White looked nothing like the disruptive playmaker who took the league by storm during short stints with the Philadelphia Eagles and Houston Texans. In fact, the dramatic decline in the former Pro Bowler's play led to questions about his ability to earn a roster spot in a competitive position battle between a handful of veterans with the Raiders.
However, White not only secured a roster spot, but he has emerged as a leader and difference maker in the Silver and Black. With his relentless energy and rugged playing style, the veteran has provided the spark plug the defense needed to elevate Patrick Graham's defense to the next level. Given some time to study the All-22 coaches' footage from the Raiders' recent games, here are my thoughts on why White is flourishing in Las Vegas:
The "see ball, get ball" scheme showcases White's talents
If you have ever heard Pete Carroll discuss winning football, you know "it's all about the ball" when it comes to his philosophy. White is a perfect fit for the Raiders' scheme as a dynamic linebacker with outstanding instincts, awareness and diagnostic skills. He attacks ball carriers with reckless abandon but plays under control within the tackle box. Against the Titans, White displayed those skills with a stat-stuffing performance (nine tackles, an interception and a strip-sack) that reminded me of his dominant showing as a young defender with the Buccaneers.
The seventh-year pro has routinely showcased his sideline-to-sideline skills during a six-game stint as a starter with the Silver and Black. White is making the "splash" plays expected of a former Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion patrolling the middle of the field. Moreover, he has been the disruptive player the Raiders need within the box to complement Maxx Crosby and Co. on the frontline.