The Las Vegas Raiders find themselves in quite the unfortunate situation this summer. While the team has $92.5 cap space heading into free agency, the second-most across the National Football League, it isn’t for no reason. That number is due to the abundance of free agents in Sin City; roster spots the team must shell out money to replace.
Those free agents include seven of all 11 defensive starters this past season, with starting safeties Marcus Epps and Tre’von Moehrig no longer under contract.
It’s not likely both will remain as Raiders entering the 2025 season, either.
But perhaps general manager John Spytek and head coach Pete Carroll aren’t worried about that. Not with Thomas Harper on the roster, anyway.
Thomas Harper: A potential safety option for the Las Vegas Raiders moving forward
Harper, whose three-year contract was claimed by Las Vegas last season, came into the league signing with Los Angeles Chargers as an undrafted free agent out of Notre Dame.
Raider Nation might’ve not thought much of their team claiming an undrafted free agent, but Harper wasted little time showing exactly why he’s an NFL-caliber talent.
During his first year as a pro-level, the 24-year-old totaled 145 snaps in coverage. Out of the 10 passes in Harper’s direction, only six were completed, with one being taken the other way. Opposing quarterbacks had a lowly passer rating of 41.3 when testing Sin City’s rookie defensive back. With a coverage grade of 76.4 via Pro Football Focus, no defender on the Raiders’ roster had a better mark in this area than Thomas Harper.
The Notre Dame alum showed off his versatility in a variety of ways as well. In addition to notching an interception, Harper helped create a second turnover by recovering a fumble his teammates forced. And, when tasked with rushing the passer, the first-year safety was able to come up with a sack.
While Harper took snaps at multiple spots this past season, most came from the free safety position; 124-of-191 snaps. 22 took place in the slot while 32 were in the box.
Although Harper doesn’t have the accolades fans may want, being a one-year pro who went undrafted, that doesn’t matter to Pete Carroll. To Carroll and his staff, everyone has an equal opportunity to earn time on the field. It doesn’t matter how acclaimed you (or aren’t) are as a player; all that matters is if you can play.
Thomas Harper can play, and he proved that this past season.
*Top Photo: Getty Images
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