Raiders have reportedly re-signed defensive tackles John Jenkins and Adam Butler, according to Silver Minings.
The Raiders made a few moves on Saturday, despite the fact that they haven’t done much in free agency since Monday. Adam Butler, a defensive tackle, is reportedly returning to Las Vegas, and John Jenkins, an ESPN colleague, is also expected to join with the organization.
Last season, Butler contributed as a rotational pass-rusher. With five sacks, he was the defensive lineman with the most and the third-most on the team behind Malcolm Koonce and Maxx Crosby. The soon-to-be 30-year-old also tied for the most pressures of his career with 28, according to Pro Football Focus, and set a personal best with a pass-rush grade of 70.2.
With Butler back in the fold, the Raiders should have one of the league’s finest pass-rushing units with Crosby, Koonce, and high-profile addition Christian Wilkins. Jenkins’ return provides them with a run-stuffing defensive tackle to help complete the line.
The nose tackle, who turns 35 in July, is 34 years old. He recorded a career-high 61 total tackles and four TFL last season. Additionally, according to PFF, he tied for the 13th-most defensive stops among interior defenders during the regular season with 26 made as a run defender.
Regarding the NFL Draft, the Raiders have already indicated through signing Wilkins that they plan to use the 13th overall choice to address a different position. Nonetheless, considering that Butler and Jenkins are both in their 30s, defensive tackles ought to remain a top priority for the front office during the middle rounds.
Other Raiders Links: Jimmy Garoppolo coming to Los Angeles: The former starting quarterback of the Raiders, who was suspended for the first two games of the regular season, apparently found a new home quickly, as he inked a contract with the Rams. Perhaps Handsome Jim will pursue a career in acting in Hollywood as well.
Wilkins, the formalizer: The Raiders haven’t had a reliable difference-maker on the interior defensive line in a long time, but Ray Aspuria of Silver and Black Pride believes the 28-year-old Wilkins can drastically change that. Moreover, the 310-pound, 6-foot-4 Clemson product is a triple threat for Las Vegas.
The Raiders were made fun of by Jermaine Eluemor’s successor, who left in free agency, leaving a hole at right tackle, according to Josh Edwards of CBS Sports. Considering they just spent another first-round selection on an Alabama right tackle (Alex Leatherwood) who did not pan out, JC Latham may have struck a bit too close to home.
Hunter Renfrow suggested as a possible Chiefs target: According to Jason Schandl of KC Kingdom, the Chiefs can’t overlook the wide receiver position this offseason. Renfrow would be a major boost to this offense, even though he wouldn’t entirely shore up any weaknesses there.
After all, over his first three seasons, he averaged 8.3 yards per target. For comparison, he would have finished third among the Chiefs’ non-running backs in 2023, behind only Justin Watson (8.7) and Travis Kelce (8.1).
