The Las Vegas Raiders are sitting pretty at 3-1 through the first four weeks of the season, and if you’re wondering how they pulled that off, look no further than two massive free agent signings who are already making their mark. The Athletic’s Daniel Popper just tabbed center Tyler Linderbaum and linebacker Nakobe Dean as two of the absolute best free agent pickups in the entire NFL this offseason. These guys are playing like they got something to prove, and the Raiders are cashing in big time.
Linderbaum’s Lock-Down Line Play
Man, did the Raiders pay up for Tyler Linderbaum, and it’s clear they are getting every single dollar’s worth. He reset the center market back in March with a crazy $27 million per year deal, part of a three-year, $81 million commitment. But honestly? It looks like a steal so far. This dude has been a total game-changer for their offensive line. Last year, in 2025, the Raiders were ranked a dismal 28th in pressure rate allowed. This year, with Linderbaum anchoring the middle, they’ve shot all the way up to 12th! That’s a huge jump.
Linderbaum is a stabilizing force, plain and simple. He’s letting quarterback Kirk Cousins hang in the pocket, giving him the time he needs to actually be effective and accurate down the middle of the field. His individual numbers are just ridiculous for an O-lineman: he hasn’t allowed a single sack all season! Not one! He’s only given up two hits and three pressures. The Raiders’ offensive line is protecting Cousins like crazy, and Linderbaum is the engine behind it.
Dean Is an Identity-Changing Force on Defense
Then you’ve got Nakobe Dean on the defensive side of the ball, and he’s just as impactful. He signed a three-year deal averaging a little over $12 million annually, a total of $36 million, and he’s proving he deserves every cent. Popper called him an “identity-changing addition” for that Raiders defense, and you can see why. This guy is a playmaker.
He put on one of his career-best performances in a Week 3 win against the New Orleans Saints. And then in Week 4 against the Chiefs? Dean had back-to-back stuffs in short yardage during the first quarter, including a huge fourth-down tackle on Walker! He’s leading the entire NFL with three forced fumbles through just four games, which is absolutely wild. Plus, he’s got 1.5 sacks, three tackles for loss, and three quarterback hits. Dean has taken a massive step forward, and the Raiders’ defense is reaping all the benefits from his fierce play.
These two new additions are showing up big, proving every dollar was worth it for the Raiders. With Linderbaum locking down the offensive line and Dean being an absolute menace on defense, Las Vegas has found some serious talent early in the season.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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