3/16/2022: Making sense of Raiders trading Yannick Ngakoue, adding OLB Chandler Jones, NT Bilal Nichols, more
The Las Vegas Raiders took a wait-and-see approach when it came to the “legal tampering” window in striking deals with free agents. Something I alluded to in an earlier article, as the Raiders had a modest $17.9M in cap space, it was GM Dave Ziegler who worked his magic on day two--starting with a trade.
Raiders trade OLB Yannick Ngakoue to Colts
The Raiders instantly created $5M in cap savings by trading OLB Yannick Ngakoue to the Indianapolis Colts. Ngakoue was scheduled to make $13M in 2022 and had $8M in dead money. By trading the pass-rusher, that created a $5M cap savings.
In return, the Raiders added a young cornerback to their secondary room--2019 second-round pick (No. 34) CB Rock Ya-Sin. A player, I don’t necessarily love, but the Raiders do need CB depth.
I would have rather the team get a mid-round pick instead, but who knows, Ya-Sin could turn out to be the truth.
Ngakoue signed a two-year, $26M deal last year and is entering a contract year. Ziegler did not make that deal. He’s now off to Indianapolis.
Grade: B
NT Bilal Nichols signs 2-year, $11M deal
If the Raiders are going to play a 3-4 base, they need a true NT who can two-gap. Nichols is one of the most underrated DL in this free-agent class and Ziegler got him on the cheap.
If you read my earlier article (read here) on new DC Patrick Graham, I broke down my BEAST analysis on what a 3-4 defense entails--especially along the defensive line. Nichols fits the bill to a tee.
As I run my BWF grades on the top NFL players like OLB Khalil Mack and ILB Roquan Smith, it was NT Bilal Nichols who jumped out on film. Very much like in college when I was evaluating Georgia products NT Jordan Davis, ILB Nakobe Dean, and DE Travon Walker--boom sophomore DE Jalen Carter jumps out on film.
At 6-4, 306, Nichols has the physique to be the two-gap space-eater. In 60 career games, Nichols has recorded 77 solo tackles, 11.0 sacks, and 5 PBUs while clogging up running lanes.
Scouting Notes | 2018 5th-round pick (No. 145) | Delaware
Relentless motor
Good lateral agility to scrape the line
Strong at POA & tough to move once anchored
Displays violent hands
Needs to play with lower pad level
Hands don’t always follow his eyes
Pass rush arsenal lacking
Grade: A
OLB Chandler Jones signs 3-year, $52.5M deal
Pass rushers come at a premium and “you can never have enough.” Just hours after trading penciled starter OLB Yannick Ngakoue to the Colts--they acted fast in finding his replacement by making a splash for 32-year old OLB Chandler Jones--reuniting him with Ziegler and head coach Josh McDaniels.
AFC West Impact
After witnessing the Denver Broncos trade for QB Russell Wilson--the Raiders had to go after a premier EDGE to pair opposite of OLB Maxx Crosby. You can’t compete in the AFC West without at least two premier pass rushers--AFC West is the top QB division in the league.
APY
Jones comes at a steep price. The $17.5M APY ranks No. 11 of all EDGE rushers. Crosby comes in at No. 5 with $23.5M APY.
Valuation vs Evaluation
Considering what was out there on the open market, Jones was by far one of the best prospects. But at 32, I question how much tread is left on those tires.
He missed 11 games in 2020 due to a torn biceps injury while bouncing back in 2021 with a 10.5 sack season (five of those coming in Week 1).
But I’ve been running game grades on Jones during the past two seasons and a common theme despite his pass-rush prowess is struggling in run-support.
Analysis:
A player who wins with HWS, Jones has the ideal genetic makeup to convert speed-to-power as an EDGE rusher. His forte is his pass rush but like DE Chris Jones--is a liability in run support.
Jones shows little effort in run support and his motor runs hot-and-cold even on plays his side. His length allows him to stay in the play but his lack of run-fit integrity is what makes him a one-trick pony.
In 139 regular-season games, Jones has recorded 107.5 sacks, 33 forced fumbles, and 10 fumble recoveries.
Grade: B
Other players signed:
WR Mack Hollins | 1-year deal
FB Jakob Johnson | 1-year deal
CB Anthony Averett | 1-year, $4.5M deal
CB Darius Phillips | 1-year, $2.25M deal
Players released:
OLB Carl Nassib
LB Nick Kwiatkoski
Why the move was made:
The Raiders will designate Nassib as a post-June 1 cut, saving the team $8M on the salary cap in 2022 by spreading the hit over two years time.
Follow on Twitter: @BEASTwriter
Follow on YouTube: @BEASTwriter
