There is no rest for the wicked or the pillagers. The Las Vegas Raiders continue to search for improvement on the fringes of the defense, signing defensive tackle Doug Costin and linebacker Isaac Darkangelo, per Aaron Wilson of KPRC. Despite the strong display by the Raiders’ defense during preseason currently, team brass clearly wasn’t satisfied just yet.
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Las Vegas’ brain trust loves a winner, even one from a “minor” league. Doug Costin appeared in a handful of games for the XFL champion Arlington Renegades last season. However, that was far from the beginning of the professional journey for the 25-year-old.
The Miami (Ohio) alum went undrafted in 2020 before making the roster of the Jacksonville Jaguars. After appearing in 12 games during his rookie year, including nine starts, Costin would only play one game for Duval in 2021. He would also see brief stints with the Bengals, Steelers, and USFL.
In his NFL career, Costin has recorded 33 tackles, nine QB hits, and seven pressures in 471 snaps. The 6’2″, 295-pound Costin enters a crowded defensive tackle room, hoping to make noise.
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Excuse me while I find someone to photoshop Isaac Darkangelo’s college picture onto 2001 Jessica Alba’s body.
At 6’1″ and 230 pounds, Darkangelo fits the mold of the current Raiders linebacker corps. The Illinois alum being undrafted is just the icing on the cake. Darkangelo recorded a total of 78 tackles in 26 games with the Fighting Illini before declaring for the 2023 draft. The 23-year-old would be signed and eventually cut by the Detroit Lions, but with Darien Butler being put on injured reserve, Las Vegas provided a nice landing spot for the Michigan native.
Fellow undrafted free agent Drake Thomas is making noise at the linebacker position in Sin City. Now, Thomas has some competition.
*Top Photo: Getty Images
