Film room: Pratt adds quality run defender to LB corps

Diving into what the new backer can bring to Las Vegas’ defense

Linebacker is arguably the weakest position group on the Las Vegas Raiders’ roster. So, when the Cincinnati Bengals released linebacker Germaine Pratt into free agency last week, it was only a matter of time until he signed with the Raiders.

While Pratt has limitations in coverage, he does add another quality run defender to the second level of Las Vegas’ defense.

Last season, the six-year veteran logged several career-highs statistically, including 143 total tackles and a 70.1 run defense grade from Pro Football Focus. Building on that, his 55 solo tackles against the run ranked tied for ninth among linebackers, and his 28 defensive stops were tied for 19th at the position.

With that, let’s take a look at a few examples of what the new addition can bring to the Raiders’ defense.

As one might expect from a veteran linebacker, Pratt has pretty good instincts against the run. What stands out is that he’s not only quick to read plays, but he also stays patient to avoid running himself into blocks. To use a classic John Wooden-ism, Pratt is quick but doesn’t hurry when keying and diagnosing run plays.

Here, the Kansas City Chiefs are in 13 personnel and motion a tight end across the formation pre-snap, which is the linebacker’s first signal key that a run to the short side of the field is coming. So, he slides over from the C-gap to the A-gap when the offense flips the strength of the formation.

Post-snap, Pratt quickly recognizes that the guard he’s lined up across from is pulling and continues working toward the playside of the power run call. Notice how he gets to the landmark and is moving at a pace where he can stay under control. That allows him to sift through the trash and, with the help of defensive end Trey Hendrickson, avoid tight end Travis Kelce’s block.

As a result, the linebacker is sitting in the hole and waiting for the running back to get involved in the tackle for a one- to two-yard gain.

This time, the Chiefs run inside zone away from Pratt. That makes him responsible for the backside B-gap on this playcall. So, he steps downhill to fulfill his assignment, taking away the cutback lane from Isiah Pacheco.

With former Bengal and current Raider Zach Carter (No. 95) slanting into the playside A-gap and getting penetration, it’s clear Pacheco wants to cut backside. However, he can’t since the linebacker is taking away the cutback lane.

As a result, the running back has to put his head down and just get what he can. Since Pratt was patient and didn’t come too far downhill, he’s able to work laterally and stay unblocked to make the tackle on the other side of the formation for another short gain.

Moving on to Pratt’s ability to take on blocks, this first clip will highlight one wrinkle in how Cincinnati used him in short-yardage situations as he lines up on the edge as a standup linebacker.

Kansas City tries to run counter right at Pratt. However, he works flat down the line of scrimmage and drops his pads to take out one puller (All-Pro guard Joe Thuney) and create a pile in the backfield. That also trips up the second puller/the fullback and forces the running back to cut backside and into the unblocked defensive tackle for the goal line stop.

This is an example of Pratt “making the play, without making the play”.

The Chiefs run duo in the clip above, and our subject is responsible for the playside A-gap. So, he steps downhill to fulfill his assignment and does a nice job of using his hands to take on Thuney’s block.

Notice how Pratt knocks the offensive lineman backward and gets extension on the block, creating some space between him and the lineman. That allows the linebacker to easily escape and go from one A-gap to the other, making another tackle near the line of scrimmage.

We’ll wrap up with a couple of reps where the former Bengal puts it all together, making a good read and disengaging from blocks to make some impressive plays.

Kansas City calls a trap run here where Pratt is on the backside of the play call, and is quick to flow to the playside once he recognizes the right guard pulls. Now, the backer does overpursue a little bit here. However, he does a great job of using his hands and upper body strength when engaging with Thuney, helping Pratt get under control and punch the ball out to create a turnover.

Pratt is on the playside of the call in our final clip, as the Philadelphia Eagles run a pin-and-pull concept. Similar to what we’ve seen previously, once he sees the center pull, the linebacker gets on his horse to get to his spot.

That allows him to beat the center to the landmark and take away the rushing lane between the center and tight end. While Pratt uses his shoulder instead of his hands to take on the block this time, he’s strong and physical at the point of the attack against the offensive lineman to escape and make another tackle for a short gain.

Overall, Pratt’s limitations in coverage don’t guarantee him a starting spot on the Raiders’ defense this year. But he is a good enough run defender to earn one of those two jobs this season and may end up being the best two-down linebacker on the roster.