With NFL free agency just around the corner, perhaps the biggest need that the Las Vegas Raiders need to address is the linebacker position.
The linebacker position has been an issue for the Raiders for many years now, and that issue was further complicated by them releasing Tahir Whitehead, who was their defensive signal-caller, earlier this week.
The move was made to free up a little more than $6 million in cap space though, giving the Raiders around $57 million to spend this offseason if they choose.
It appears the Raiders have already begun their search for linebacker help, as Mike Garafolo of NFL Network is reporting that they are bringing in former Cleveland Browns linebacker Christian Kirksey for a visit on Wednesday:
Less than 24 hours after getting released by the #Browns, LB Christian Kirksey is visiting the #Raiders today, sources say. Oakland/Vegas released LB Tahir Whitehead earlier this week.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 11, 2020
Kirksey is a former third-round pick out of Iowa that has spent his first six NFL seasons with the Browns. He didn’t miss a single game in his first four seasons but has been limited to just nine games in the last two years due to injuries.
The 27-year-old played in just two games in 2019 before being placed on injured reserve with a season-ending chest injury. He was then released on Tuesday, allowing him to hit the open market.
When healthy, Kirksey has been one of the best outside linebackers in the league throughout his career. If the Raiders are able to get him on a cheap “prove-it” type deal, then that could end up being one of the better value signings in the league in 2020.
