The Raiders are looking for answers at linebacker. With major questions surrounding Sio Moore, the roster has very little proven depth behind Malcolm Smith, Curtis Lofton, and Ray-Ray Armstrong.
Jack Del Rio’s unofficial depth chart lists Neiron Ball, Ben Heeney and Sio Moore as the Raiders’ primary depth at linebacker. Ball and Heeney are rookies while Moore has played only nine defensive snaps in preseason.
With confidence waning in Armstrong (starting SAM linebacker in preseason) after an underwhelming preseason, defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. believes the solution at SAM linebacker may be Benson Mayowa – another of his former Seattle Seahawks.
Norton Jr. mentioned Raiders trying Mayowa at SAM. That's happening. Thurs. was his first game there. He'll play SAM in base, DE in nickel.
— Scott Bair (@BairNBCS) September 4, 2015
The 24 year-old Mayowa has been solid as a pass rusher in preseason and will look to fill the void left by Khalil Mack who transitioned to the Raiders’ defensive line. Mayowa had an up and down 2014 season, but graded well against the run as a defensive end (+4.5), according to Pro Football Focus.
Mayowa “felt a tweak” in his knee during last night’s game in Seattle that, according to Bair, isn’t believed to be serious. He’ll have eight days to recuperate before the Raiders host the Bengals in the regular season opener.
