Let’s look at the Las Vegas Raiders’ defensive tackle position after signing veteran Benito Jones on Wednesday:
New free agent added:
Benito Jones (Miami Dolphins).
Free agent who departed:
None.
Free agent who returned:
None,
Current free agents:
None.
Traded for:
None.
Released:
None.
Draft:
North Carolina State’s Brandon Cleveland in seventh round (No. 229).
Returners:
Adam Butler, JJ Pegues, Jonah Laulu, Tonka Hemingway.
Conclusion:
The Raiders didn’t do much at this position, but now have added Jones, who is a nose tackle who is 6-1, 335 pounds. Jones, who has played under new Las Vegas defensive coordinator Rob Leonard in 2020, has played in 71 games with 38 starts. He started eight games for the Dolphins last season. The late Jones signing comes after the Raiders were expected to add a true nose tackle in free agency or early in the draft as they are moving to a 3-4 base defense. They didn’t address the position until they drafted Cleveland in the final round. He has potential, but it is a lot to ask a seventh-round pick to play a vital role as a rookie. Jones has been more of a backup during his career. Butler, Pegues and Laulu should play big roles and Hemingway, who is expected to play a lot of defensive end in the 3-4, could still be a factor inside as well at times.