The Raiders are believed to be interested in free agent LB NaVorro Bowman and if he lands in Oakland, what exactly would the Raiders be getting?
It’s well documented that Bowman has been one of the best linebackers in the NFL since entering the league in 2010, but his injury history looms large.
He is only 29, but a horrific knee injury forced Bowman to miss all of 2014. He returned from the reconstructed knee and played well last year (84.5 grade from Pro Football Focus analytics), but there has been a significant drop off in his play since an Achilles injury ended his 2016 season. Bowman’s Pro Football Focus grade through five games in 2017 is only 45.0.
Bowman doesn’t show the same burst of speed he once had, but the good news is he’s still an above-average tackler. He may come off the field in passing situations, but considering Oakland’s lack of depth at linebacker, they shouldn’t be particularly selective.
The Raiders are only an injury away from a practice-squad level starter at linebacker and this week will roll out Nicholas Morrow who was playing at Division III Greenville College at this time a year ago.
Bowman is expected to decide on a team by Monday, according to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport, so a decision should be coming soon.
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