Among the many issues for the Las Vegas Raiders this season has been their defensive line, particularly their ability to rush the passer. But the franchise has made a move in hopes of at least giving the team another option in getting at the quarterback in Jerry Tillery.
According to Ian Rapaport of NFL Network, the Raiders have claimed former Los Angeles Chargers first-round pick off waivers:
The #Raiders have claimed former #Chargers first-round pick DL Jerry Tillery, source said. Some more defensive help on the way, as Tillery stays in the division. pic.twitter.com/tseNwl7OG8
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 14, 2022
Tillery was drafted 29th overall by the Chargers in 2019, just one pick after recently released Raiders safety Johnathan Abram. Coming out of Notre Dame, Tillery looked to be a promising piece in the last two seasons for the Chargers after an up-and-down rookie season.
Tillery had 14 quarterback hits in each of the last two years, and last season had the best year of his young career as he finished with 51 total tackles and 4.5 sacks. But this year has seen a regression for Tillery, who has become more of a rotational piece and not a starter, being usurped by Sebastian Joseph-Day. Tillery has yet to play in more than half the defensive snaps in any game this season after doing so all but once in the last two years.
The Raiders are surely hoping a change of scenery will be good for Tillery and allow him to build on some of the promise he showed in previous years. The pass rush has been an issue for the Raiders as Maxx Crosby is the only player with more than one sack, and the team as a whole has just 10, ranking dead last in the NFL.
This may not be the game-changing move that turns this season around for the Raiders, but it does give them the opportunity to get a closer look at a player with the potential to become a piece of what this team is trying to build.
