Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Divine Deablo is another member of the team's defense who took a big step forward this season.
Deablo turned in a terrific 2023 campaign, finishing the season with career-highs in combined tackles (106), tackles for losses (four), passes defensed (two), quarterback hits (two), fumble recoveries (one), and sacks (one) while making 15 starts. His 106 tackles were the second-most on the team this season, trailing only fellow linebacker Robert Spillane (148).
Deablo enters the fourth year of his $4.9-million rookie contract he signed in 2021 after being selected by Las Vegas in the third round of the NFL Draft.
The Raiders will have to decide this offseason if they want to sign the young linebacker to an extension before he becomes a free agent next year. It would be wise for them to do so.
Deablo's progress has been on a trajectory that really started to take off in the 2022 season when he started in the Raiders' first eight games of the season. After injuring his forearm against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 9, Deablo would be placed on injured reserve and did not play the rest of the season. The then second-year pro finished fourth on the team in the combined tackles (74) despite having played less than half a season.
In his rookie season, Deablo played in all 17 games, making five starts. He recorded 45 combined tackles.
The Raiders still have some adjustments to make on defense going into next season, but their staples need to remain staples. Deablo contributed to a unit that finished the 2023 season as one of the best defenses in the league. And if his exponential increase in production is any indication of what is to come for Deablo, Las Vegas should value what they have and sign him for the long haul.
From February 27 to March 4, 2024, the NFL Scouting Combine will be held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind.
The NFL Draft will be held in Detroit, Mich., on April 25-27, 2024. The Las Vegas Raiders currently hold the No. 13 overall pick.
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