Gerald McCoy signs with Las Vegas Raiders

Veteran defensive tackle Gerald McCoy signed with the Las Vegas Raiders following a training camp visit on Wednesday according to NFL’s Grant Gordon. The free agency visit opened a door for his NFL return, as McCoy did not play in the NFL for the 2020 season. McCoy’s trip to Vegas went well enough that he decided to stay.

Gerald McCoy’s impact

The veteran from the University of Oklahoma brings experience from his 10-year NFL career to the Raiders. Playing three years with Oklahoma, McCoy was awarded Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year in 2007. His success continued into his college career, being named Consensus All-American in 2009 and nominated as a finalist for the Lombardi Award.

Entering the NFL after being drafted third overall in 2010, McCoy played 10 seasons in the NFL. In nine years with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he made six Pro Bowl appearances and was first-team All-Pro in 2013. He joined the Carolina Panthers in 2019 and did not play for any team in 2020 after being cut by the Dallas Cowboys before the season began. Gerald McCoy signs with the Raiders to begin his 11th NFL season.

The Raiders defensive line

Bringing in players through free agency has been a big part of the Raiders’ plans this offseason. Their projected starting defensive line includes newcomers like defensive end Yannick Ngakoue and defensive tackle Quinton Jefferson. By signing Gerald McCoy, it seems like they’re concerned about the defensive tackle position at the moment.

Jefferson tallied 3.0 sacks and a forced fumble with the Buffalo Bills last season and will join defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins this year. Hankins last season only managed one sack, but pulled in 27 solo tackles as the center of the Raiders’ defense.

Perhaps more than anything, McCoy’s signing could mean a shift in the expected position for their recent addition in defensive tackle Solomon Thomas. The Raiders signed Thomas after his four years with the San Francisco 49ers, with the intent to use him in the middle of their defense. Vic Tafur of The Athletic reports that the Raiders are concerned about the size of Thomas and using him as an interior lineman.

McCoy’s role with the Raiders

The Raiders are a long way from finalizing their roster after training camp, but it seems likely that McCoy will be used to add depth to the defense. If the prospect of sliding Thomas out as a defensive end comes true, he would fit into the depth chart nicely as a replacement piece.

The Raiders are certainly looking to improve the defensive line in general with whoever they can. In 2020 the Raiders ranked 25th in yardage allowed and 28th in sacks. McCoy’s career total of 59.5 sacks might be a piece they need.

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