With Robert Spillane and Divine Deablo on the roster, alongside Luke Masterson and promising rookie Tommy Eichenberg, the Las Vegas Raiders are in excellent shape at the linebacker position. Among all the talent at the position, one player in particular has made a name for himself during this year’s preseason–undrafted free agent Amari Gainer.
It didn’t take long for Gainer to make his presence known. In Week 1 of preseason, against the Minnesota Vikings, the rookie linebacker earned a defensive grade of 90.6 via Pro Football Focus. This marked the sixth-highest grade among all linebackers to total at least three snaps.
Of the five throws his way, Gainer allowed only one ball to be caught. He was able to get his hands on a pass as well.
In Week 2, at home with the Cowboys in town, Gainer once again shined. His 75.5 grade was the third-highest among all Raiders defenders to play any amount of snaps, and his 70.7 coverage grade was second to only Jack Jones. Just as he did in Week 1, Gainer used his coverage abilities to personally break up a pass.
Through two weeks of preseason play, Gainer has earned a total grade of 89.9. This ranks third-highest among linebackers who have played in two preseason contests up to this point.
The Raiders may have their starting linebackers figured out, but Gainer is forcing his way into the rotation. If the 24-year-old has another successful showing this weekend, it’ll be hard – impossible, really – to leave him out of the unit.
Beyond making the team’s linebacker core deeper, a promising campaign from Gainer will give Tom Telesco some flexibility as he steers into his second second as Las Vegas’ general manager.
A promising Amari Gainer campaign will give the Las Vegas Raiders flexibility entering 2025
Sin City’s linebacker unit is currently in excellent shape – that may not be the case in 2025, however. As it stands, Robert Spillane, Divine Deablo and Luke Masterson are all set to become free agents.
Retaining [at least] two of the three is ideal, but several factors may put a wrench in that plan. If agreements can’t be reached, the Raiders won’t find themselves scrambling for answers at linebacker should Gainer keep up his current level of play.
Telesco will be free from having his hands tied.
Gainer inked a three-year deal with Las Vegas following this year’s draft. He’ll be in Sin City for a while at this pace.
Don’t judge Gainer on going undrafted, either. Robert Spillane went the entire 2018 NFL Draft without hearing his name. Not only is Spillane now a team captain, but he’s an integral piece to a top-10 defense.
Perhaps Gainer’s future will be similar.
*Top Photo: Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal/TNS