Two-time NFL Pro Bowler and soon-to-be free agent Devin McCourty could bring veteran leadership and stability to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Something about Patriots players potentially joining the Raiders seems to set off Raider Nation. The “Tuck Rule” game aside, a player like McCourty could bring an excellent combination of talent, skills, and leadership despite being 32. Johnathan Abram will be back this season and there’s the possibility the team drafts another safety to go along with him, possibly Grant Delpit.
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Hypothetically speaking, the Raiders could still reload at safety in the later rounds and shore up the position short-term with McCourty. Despite the age concern, Pro Football Focus recently had him as the 23rd ranked NFL free agent. Sam Monson and Steve Palazzolo of PFF had this to say about McCouty’s prospects in free agency:
“…McCourty exemplifies what you want in a “safe” safety, as he’s rarely out of position in the passing game and is a sure tackler in space with just 71 career misses on 890 tackle attempts. While McCourty has dabbled in multiple roles playing closer to the line of scrimmage or covering tight ends, he’s at his best as a deep free safety where he will rarely bust coverages and frequently take advantage of quarterback mistakes when presented.”
McCourty’s 2019 stats show he’s not slowing down any time soon. He totaled five interceptions, two forced fumbles, and even got in on 16 blitzes against the passer. More impressive is when he was targeted last year as opposite signal-callers had a 61.0 quarterback rating against him to go along a 60.6% completion percentage.
As always, it will come to the money. If the Patriots don’t bring McCourty back, perhaps a contract with the Nevada state tax incentive of 0% could help the Raiders. Free agency can’t get here soon enough.
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