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Raiders Plan to Use Jeremy Chinn as Chess Piece

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Ethen Hutton | Last updated Jun 14, 2025 2:27 PM ET

The Las Vegas Raiders have big ideas for one of their top offseason acquisitions, Jeremy Chinn. Chinn inked a two-year deal worth $16 million with the club back in March and will bolster the Raiders' secondary, bringing immense versatility and a wealth of experience to the unit.

Looking to capitalize on said versatility, defensive coordinator Patrick Graham plans to move Chinn throughout Las Vegas' defense. Chinn could take on plenty of responsibility in Graham's defensive scheme, offering experience playing over the top as a safety, as well as moving down to the box or in the slot.

"Just in terms of leadership, he's very sure of himself because he puts in the work," Graham told reporters last week. "And he's been a sponge in terms of learning how we want to do things, and then all the physical attributes. ... The speed, the size, physicality, ability to tackle and nose for the ball. It's all been positive there."

Last season, Chinn logged 1,020 total snaps for the Washington Commanders and lined up all over the field. He lined up in the box as a linebacker for 470 snaps, played as a deep safety for 369 snaps, moved down to the slot for 222 snaps and spent time coming off the edge (106 snaps) and split out wide at corner (40 snaps).

He played a crucial role in the Commanders' success on the defensive side of the ball, a unit that allowed the third-fewest passing yards in the NFL last season. In 17 games, Chinn recorded 117 total tackles, seven for loss, two sacks and a forced fumble.

Chinn will help overhaul a Raiders defense that struggled mightily in 2024, finishing the season as a bottom-half unit in the NFL.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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