The NFL’s legal tampering period got off to an eventful start as several high-profile names found new homes. The New England Patriots were by far and away the most active team as they filled holes along their roster, but the Las Vegas Raiders should also be considered winners after reportedly agreeing to a deal with Yannick Ngakoue.
Ngakoue was a massive get for the Raiders because they struggled heavily when rushing the quarterback during the 2020 season. The linebacker should bolster a defensive line that desperately needed more production from the edge, but Las Vegas still has other needs they need to address.
One of the major voids the Raiders need to fill is along their offensive line as they released Richie Incognito and Gabe Jackson while also trading Trent Brown to the Patriots. The Las Vegas o-line was a strength for the team last season but is now an understandable question mark heading into the 2021 season.
Kyle Long, who came out of retirement, has generated interest from multiple teams and is set to work out for the Raiders on Tuesday, according to Vincent Bonsignore of Las Vegas Review-Journal:
Just an FYI on Kyle Long and @Raiders. Looks like he’ll get on the field for a workout tomorrow morning. Keep in mind he didn’t play last year and he’s coming off some injuries prior to 2020.
— Vincent Bonsignore (@VinnyBonsignore) March 16, 2021
Long has not played a snap since the 2019 season but is reportedly healthy after taking a year off from football. The 32-year-old has the talent to make a difference for the Raiders if he is able to regain his Pro Bowl form, so his workout will be key in ensuring that he is worth the gamble.
Even if things do work out with Long, the Silver and Black will still need to find replacements for the rest of the line. Fortunately for them, the 2021 NFL Draft is littered with offensive line prospects, and the team could look to address their needs there.
