Devin White is unhappy about having to play under the fifth-year option of his rookie deal, according to reports. Instead, White wishes to be traded away from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Should the Las Vegas Raiders want in on the former Pro Bowl and All-Pro linebacker? General manager Dave Ziegler isn’t one to shy away from a big trade, as we saw last offseason.
White was initially passed over in the Raiders 2019 draft in favor of Clelin Ferrell. It was one of many draft misses by then-general manager Mike Mayock. After a solid rookie season, White would follow it up by becoming a second-team All-Pro linebacker and a Super Bowl champion on the best defense in the league. His third season would see White make his first trip to the Pro Bowl. On top of that, he was recognized by his peers as one of the top 100 players in the league. 2022, by White’s standards, would be considered a down year. Yet once again, his peers recognized him as a top 100 player.
What happened with Devin White in 2022?
White is an athlete and smart but he simply can't cover, struggles with run fits and simply has some noticeable lack of effort plays on film
Over his career he's allowed 238 receptions for 2190 yards, 12 TD, and a 109.5 QBR off just 285 targets. Added 12.7% missed tackle rate
— Tristen Kuhn (@KuhnTristen) April 11, 2023
White might have had the best season of his career in 2022, despite what the numbers may look like.
In spite of making the playoffs with a losing record and arguably the worst rendition of a defensive line he’s played behind, the two passing touchdowns surrendered in 2022 were one fewer than the three he allowed in 2020, when he won it all. The 8.1% missed tackle rate and 11 total missed tackles were the lowest of his four-year career. The 104.9 quarterback rating when targeted in 2022 was up from 95.7 in 2021. By the way, it was a Pro Bowl year. However, that was down from 109.6 in the 2020 championship year. Furthermore, the DADOT defender’s average depth of target was 2.8 yards (a career low). Targeted in the passing game 60 times, White allowed 46 completions for 400 yards (137 air yards, 263 yards after the catch) for a completion rate of 76.7%, the second lowest of his career.
If White is not at the line of scrimmage showing blitz, he lines up five yards off the ball or potentially in the slot. Interestingly enough, the 65 times he blitzed were the second-lowest total of his career. However, they were much more effective. The seven hurries, nine quarterback knockdowns, 22 pressures, and 5.5 sacks were all the second-best totals of his career despite being “activated” 68 fewer times.
Should Dave Ziegler and Raiders brass trade for Devin White?
The Todd Bowles-led Buccaneers were a disappointment in 2022. Much like Bowles’ previous stop with the New York Jets. Bowles has a fantastic defensive mind; there’s no argument there. Unfortunately, when Bruce Arians took a job in the front office as the Senior Football Consultant, it threw things out of whack. The Buccaneers have no quarterback or running back of the future. Also, their defense is decimated and in need of replenishment. The Raiders have 12 draft picks: a first and a second, two third rounders, a fourth, three fifth rounders, and two sixth and seventh round selections.
During his four-year career, White has allowed in the passing game a grand total of 222 receptions on 278 targets for 1,918 yards and six receiving touchdowns. He is a beast at linebacker, a ferocious blitzer, and a playmaker. He’d arguably be the best talent at linebacker that defensive coordinator Patrick Graham would have to work with since being hired. White is a true playmaker capable of being a menace when ignited.
As defined by Dave Ziegler, a defensive explosive player is someone who gets to the football or gets to the quarterback.
White is a powder keg full of explosives. He has 35 tackles for loss, six forced fumbles, nine fumble recoveries, one interception, and two touchdowns in 62 total games. It shouldn’t cost the Raiders more than a couple middle-round draft picks and a guaranteed contract extension to acquire him. Along with squeezing him under the cap.
*Top Photo: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
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