UNLV’s Javin White could have big role for Raiders

When Javin White was given the opportunity to come in during Week 16 against the Dolphins, he delivered. The former UNLV Rebel racked up 4 tackles, including 1 tackle for loss on a limited 11 snaps. Javin White was a long shot at making the Raiders active roster last season, but he signed to the Raiders practice squad after a stellar camp.

This season he is looking to do more than making the practice squad. During day three of Raiders training camp, White was seen practicing with the first and second-team defense.

Why it’s important

The Raiders ran team drills in two separate groups. The first group includes players that will likely start or be primary backups. The second group has players that are likely to be third and fourth-string players. White was seen practicing with the first group, indicating he has a shot at playing a ton.

In 2021, the Raiders will likely keep five linebackers on the active roster. Cory Littleton, Nick Kwiatkowski, and Nicholas Morrow all have a lock on the top three spots. Most would agree that the two final LB spots will likely go to Divine Deablo and Tanner Muse, both third-round selections over the past two drafts.

However, with Deablo out for a few weeks, it could give someone like Javin White the perfect opportunity to step in, fill the void, and potentially show the Raiders why they should keep him around for the long term.

White had a great 2019 season with UNLV. White had 79 tackles, 8.5 tackles for a loss, and 10 passes defended as a senior. He also intercepted 3 more passes to bring his career total to 9 in three years.

White was named to UNLV’s All-Decade team as a linebacker but also played safety and corner. Although he wasn’t invited to the Senior Bowl or the NFL Scouting Combine, he still earned a shot with the Raiders. He took full advantage of his opportunity.

If White can continue to develop, his coverage skills could be paramount to a Gus Bradley cover-3 scheme that requires rangy linebackers who can quickly cover ground. 2021 is a big year for the Raiders, and Javin White could potentially see a role within this defense.