Defensive tackle Andrew Billings didn't miss a beat this year after opting out of the 2020 season and appearing in just six contests last season.
In his first season as a member of the Las Vegas Raiders, Billings registered a career-high 39 combined tackles, three tackles for loss, three quarterback hits and a sack.
Billings was especially instrumental in the Raiders' back-to-back wins in Weeks 11 and 12.
In Week 11 against the Denver Broncos, the defensive tackle posted a season-high seven combined tackles, which led the team in the victory.
The following week against the Seattle Seahawks, Billings and Raiders pass rusher Maxx Crosby combined for a sack on Seattle quarterback Geno Smith early in the fourth quarter. Billings had also contributed to a sack earlier in the contest.
He finished the game with four combined tackles.
Billings had previously played his first three NFL seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals after being drafted in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft out of Baylor.
In March of 2020, he signed with the Cleveland Browns as an unrestricted free agent before he was waived in November of 2021.
Billings then had stints on the Miami Dolphins' and Kansas City Chiefs' practice squads before he was released by the Chiefs in early February of last year.
The 27-year-old defensive lineman showed he still has value to bring to an organization.
The next step for him will be to force more pressure on the pass to add to the tandem that is Crosby and Chandler Jones.
The 2023 NFL Draft will go from April 27-29 and be held at Union Station in Kansas City, Mo. The NFL Scouting Combine is Feb. 28-March 6, 2023, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind. March 7, 2023, before 4 p.m. EST is the club's deadline to designate Franchise or Transition Players.
March 13-15 is the free agent negotiation period. Starting at 12 p.m. EST on March 13 and ending at 3:59:59 p.m. EST on March 15, clubs are permitted to contact and enter into contract negotiations with the certified agents of players who will become Unrestricted Free Agents upon the expiration of their 2022 Player Contracts at 4 p.m. EST on March 15.
The 2023 NFL Year and Free Agency period begins at 4 p.m. EST on March 15. The Raiders are expected to be significant players in the free-agent market this season.
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