Analyzing the Raiders' Front Office's Upcoming Deja Vu Decision

Last offseason, the new Las Vegas Raiders front office had to make several roster decisions, with nothing but film and contract negotiations to guide them. No position was this more the case than for the Raiders at linebacker. Raiders General Manager John Spytek had to immediately make a decision.

With Robert Spillane and Divine Deablo both set to hit free agency, the Raiders decided against paying either player. Both would go elsewhere and have productive seasons, albeit Spillane did so at a much higher cost to the New England Patriots than the Raiders should have paid.

Still, the Raiders' decision not to pay either Spillane or Deablo was one of the bigger mistakes by Spytek and Las Vegas' new front office. Not overpaying for Spillane was understandable, but letting Deablo walk for a contract the Raiders could have matched was questionable at best.

Spytek will once again face a similar situation when it comes to linebacker Devin White, who, like Spillane, was near the top of the league in tackles. White is unlikely to seek a deal similar to Spillane, but he will undoubtedly look to be paid more money than he signed for this past offseason.

Las Vegas' front office will have to decide, given White's high tackle count. However, White's coverage shortcomings were often targeted by opposing offenses. Dan Pizzuta of Yahoo Sports noted the Raiders may be willing to let a productive veteran linebacker leave once again.

"If there was a glaring weakness on the defense, it was at linebacker. Devin White made a high volume of tackles on a one-year deal, but that’s partly because of how often the defense was on the field. White was also a liability in coverage. The Raiders were 29th in DVOA on passes to the short middle part of the field," Pizzuta said.