This started out looking into Maxx Crosby going from a hands-in-the-dirt defensive end to a stand-up rush outside linebacker, but as we all now know, “The Condor” will no longer be in Silver & Black after the Las Vegas Raiders traded him to the Baltimore Ravens on Friday for two first-round draft picks.
And the departure of an elite pass rusher and run defender makes this look at how the linebackers operate in the Raiders’ new 3-4 defensive front timely.
With Rob Leonard’s ascension from defensive line boss to full-on defensive coordinator on new head coach Klint Kubiak’s staff, it presents a dynamic shift from a unit that often had only two or three linebackers on the field at any given time due to the 4-2-5 nickel alignment and 4-3 base front.
Leonard’s system calls for four linebackers and the 3-4 alignment is a throwback to the old-school Raiders that not only ran that defensive front but was the formation of choice that resulted in a trio of Super Bowl victories. The four linebackers make the plays in a trio of areas: run defense, pass rush, and in coverage.
Inside Linebackers
Dubbed as the “field generals”, the two that operate in the middle of the 3-4 alignment feature a strong run-stuffing presence and an athletic cover, sideline-to-sideline defender.
The Mike linebacker, also known as strong side, tends to be the bigger of the two inside linebackers which allows them to fill interior gaps, take on lead-blockers, and crash the party as a run game eliminator. This linebacker tends to be the mold of Bart Scott, Ray Lewis, NaVorro Bowman, and Randy Gradishar. The ferocity of the Mike linebacker allowed their inside tag team partner the ability to roam free with violence the strong-side inside linebacker brings down-to-down.
The Will, also known as “plugger” or weak side, is often the faster, more agile of the pairing who can use their speed to chase plays from all over the field while the Mike occupies blockers. The weak-side inside linebacker frequently leads the team in tackles due to operating freely and is also the one with coverage responsibilities and blitz duties to get after the quarterback. This particular linebacker is in the mold of Patrick Willis, Roquan Smith, and Bowman.
Outside Linebackers
Like their inside counterparts, the two linebackers on the edges have unique skillset and responsibilities.
The Sam, or strong side, tends to be the bigger and more powerful outside linebacker tasked with lining up on the side with the tight end and is the physically imposing edge setter. The strong-side outside linebacker must have the requisite power, read-and-react skills, and tackling ability to not only take on tight ends, but offensive tackles directly to set the tone, maintain the edge, and snuff out the ground game. Think of Carl Banks, Mike Vrabel, and Devon Kennard when it comes to Sam outside linebackers.
Then there’s the Will, also dubbed the Jack or weak side. This is where Crosby likely would’ve lined up if he remained in Silver & Black. This is the premiere stand-up pass rusher who lines up away from tight ends and tends to have a cleaner path to the quarterback. Typically a speed rusher who operates freely to exploit one-on-one matchups with offensive tackles, the Will often leads the linebacker group in sacks. Prototype weak-side linebackers include: Clay Matthews, Demarcus Ware, Lawrence Taylor and Derrick Thomas.
Who Fits?
Las Vegas does have in-house options at four linebacker spots in the 3-4 alignment, but a trio are unrestricted free agents heading into Monday’s legal tampering period as free agency opens next week.
Veterans Elandon Roberts and Devin White have the profile and experience to operate as the Mike and Will on the inside, respectively. Roberts is the classic run-and-hit physical run stuffer while White has the athleticism to be the rangy plugger on the weak side. Youngsters Tommy Eichenberg and Coy Lindenberg can compete for snaps for the two strong side and weak side inside linebacker spots, too.
On the outside, Malcolm Koonce has the skillset to be the weak-side pass rush specialist. With the speed and sleeker build, Koonce slowly regained the pass rush form late in the 2025 season that provided him a breakout 2023 campaign (eight sacks, nine tackles for loss), as he recovered from a knee injury (ACL) that wiped out his 2024 season. But, like Roberts and White, Koonce is an unrestricted free agent. Charles Snowden, who the Raiders inked as an exclusive rights free agent, offers versatility to play the pass-rusher role.
Over at strong side, Las Vegas can dabble with moving defensive end Tyree Wilson to this edge setter, run stuffer role. At 6-foot-5 and 263 pounds, finished his third season in the league with four sacks, eight tackles for loss, an 35 total tackles and has the requisite size and power. But he’s primarily been a hands-in-the dirt defender.
There are options on the free-agent market, of course:
Strong-side inside linebackers: Devin Lloyd (Jacksonville Jaguars), Leo Chenal (Kansas City Chiefs), and super veteran Bobby Wagner (Washington Commanders).
Weak-side inside linebackers: Nakobe Dean (Philadelphia Eagles), Quay Walker (Green Bay Packers), Tremaine Edmunds (Chicago Bears), and Bobby Okereke (New York Giants).
Strong-side outside linebackers: Kwity Paye (Indianapolis Colts), Kaden Ellis (Atlanta Falcons), and super veteran Jadeveon Clowney.
Weak-side outside linebackers: Jaelan Phillips (Philadelphia Eagles), Odafe Oweh (Los Angeles Chargers), Boye Mafe (Seattle Seahawks), and K’Lavon Chaisson (New England Patriots).
Same for the 2026 NFL Draft:
Strong-side inside linebackers: Jayre Hudson (USF), Barrett Carter (Clemson), and Kaleb Costello (Ohio State),
Weak-side inside linebackers: Anthony Hill Jr. (Texas), Sonny Styles (Ohio State), Harold Perkins Jr. (LSU), and Kyle Louis (Pittsburgh)
Strong-side outside linebackers: Ruben Bain Jr. (Miami), Keldric Faulk (Auburn), T.J. Parker (Clemson), and Zion Young (Missouri).
Weak-side outside linebackers: David Bailey (Texas Tech), Arvell Reese (Ohio State), Cashius Howell (Texas A&M), and Malachi Lawrence (UCF).
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