The Las Vegas Raiders are reshaping their roster right now, so it raises a question surrounding linebacker Nicholas Morrow. Should the four-year defender be a priority this offseason for the Silver and Black management?
Morrow was one of the few bright spots on an otherwise porous Raiders defense. Making the most of his career-high 11 starts in 2020, he emerged as a defensive leader. The question now becomes is if the Greenville product is a priority for the organization. Considering the type of scheme that new defensive coordinator Gus Bradley will be implementing, Morrow fits that mold.
Pro Football Focus points out that Morrow’s biggest strengths last year were his coverage and pass-rushing abilities. His grades in those departments were both 70.4 as he notched three sacks, one interception, and eight tackles for a loss.
Related: LB Nicholas Morrow Had Career Year in 2020
Morrow’s Raising The Bar For The Raiders
#Raiders are in talks with LB Nicholas Morrow to try and bring him back.
One of the few defensive players who played well last year.
And he echoed Nelson Agholor in questioning the team’s accountability. Raising the bar.— Vic Tafur (@VicTafur) March 5, 2021
As Vic Tafur of The Athletic pointed out, Morrow emerged as a locker room leader alongside Nelson Agholor. This type of leadership and accountability needs to be prioritized by the Raiders.
As far as how Morrow looked in 2020, he excelled statistically in spite of Paul Guenther’s underwhelming coaching. When it came to pass-rushing, he compiled three sacks and eight pressures as he was brought in on 24 blitzes. He also improved in pass coverage, he was targeted a career-high 65 times last year. However, Morrow only surrendered 44 completions, a 67.7 completion percentage, and nabbed an interception. When you consider the upward trend in production, leadership quality, and potential in Bradly’s system, you’d think the Raiders would get this one right.
What do you think Raider Nation? Let us know your thoughts on Morrow down below and be sure to weigh in on our poll on Twitter.
#RaiderNation … Should bringing back LB Nicholas Morrow be a priority for your #Raiders this off-season?
— RaiderRamble.comâ„¢ (@TheRaiderRamble) March 6, 2021
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*Top Photo: Benjamin Hager/Las Vegas Review-Journal