Back in February, the Las Vegas Raiders made one of their more underrated moves this offseason. We’re, of course, referring to defensive tackle Andrew Billings, who was signed as the team remodeled their defensive line.
What type of player are the Raiders getting in Andrew Billings?
The Raiders’ defensive line has seen itself get shaken up this offseason with a new regime coming in. Gone are Solomon Thomas and Quinton Jefferson, though Johnathan Hankins recently re-signed. It’s obviously a tough situation, which makes this signing make a lot more sense. The Raiders needed quality depth with a new defensive scheme being implemented, and Billings can provide that.
Andrew was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL draft. He spent four years in Cincinnati before signing with the Cleveland Browns. He would then opt out of the 2020 season and be released mid-way through the 2021 year. Billings then spent some time with Miami and Kansas City’s practice squads, before floating into free agency and landing in Las Vegas.
As is the same for any player at his position, Billings is a big guy. He stands at six-foot-11 and weighs 328 pounds. Even with that big of a body, Billings is an extremely active player. Billings is strong and mobile, and he excels at keeping a good pad level. Because of that, he’s able to split double teams and make tackles successfully. Billings also has great closing speed for his size, especially when chasing ball-carriers from sideline to sideline.
#Bengals DI Andrew Billings tosses aside #Bills’ Ryan Groy with ease early in the snap and secures the sack.
Billings earned an 80.6 defense grade through CIN’s first two preseason games, per @PFF. pic.twitter.com/INdXzcVdy7
— Austin Gayle (@PFF_AustinGayle) August 26, 2018
What does Billings do well?
Where Billings excels is chasing runners across the field. But he struggles when trying to change direction. It remains true that Billings is very agile for his size, but he’s not able to change directions well and his recovery athleticism is average. His technique could be improved as well.
In his career, Billings appeared in 47 games and started in 37 of them. He has 80 total tackles and three and a half sacks. Those aren’t eye-popping stats, but they are solid for a depth player. It remains to be seen how the defensive line unit will shape up, but at the moment, Billings is a solid depth signing.
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*Top Photo: Michael Hickey/Getty Images