The Las Vegas Raiders announced they signed free agent linebacker Kenny Young.
Young started the 2021 season with the Los Angeles Rams before being traded to the Denver Broncos. Young was originally drafted No. 122 overall in the 2018 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Ravens, where he spent two seasons.
So far, Young has appeared in 59 career games, including 25 starts and has recorded 186 total tackles, 5.5 sacks, one interception, four passes defensed, four forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. After getting traded to the Broncos, the linebacker started 13 games and was productive after recording 75 tackles, two sacks, one pass defensed, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery.
Young joins a Raiders linebacker room, including Denzel Perryman, Jayon Brown, Micah Kiser, Divine Deablo, and Kyler Fackrell. The 27-year-old is a solid depth piece prior to training mix and figures to be in the mix for snaps under new defensive coordinator Patrick Graham.
Las Vegas was a much-improved unit under previous defensive coordinator Gus Bradley who ended up leaving for the Indianapolis Colts for the same role, so it will be up to Graham to pick up where his predecessor left off. Young could be a helpful piece in both run support and pass coverage with a defensive line that features Maxx Crosby and Chandler Jones.
Aside from defense, Young has worked with new Raiders special teams coach Tom McMahon which means he could have a role there. That kind of versatility bodes well for Young making contributions, and it will be interesting to see if he can build on his solid 2021 campaign with the Silver and Black.