Raiders' new linebacker Germaine Pratt was not as much of a product of a bad defense in Cincy as he was the issue

It's easy for the Las Vegas Raiders fan base to get excited when they make a signing this far into the offseason, especially when it's for a guy who most casual fans know, and especially when it's in an attempt to help the worst position group on the roster.

I tweeted that the signing, a one-year deal worth more than $4 million, didn't really move the needle on the position group. And that rubbed some people the wrong way. I was told that I didn't know anything, I was stupid, and you know, all of the other great things that come with sharing your opinion on social media in 2025. But, with this job comes the fact that I will share my opinion, and if it's right, no one cares or remembers, and if it's wrong, I look very stupid and everyone lets me know.

But I know what I signed up for, and I'm completely ready to be wrong or right on the subject. The Raiders also know what they signed up for, which is why they signed Pratt to a one-year deal where he is set to make one million more than Elandon Roberts, a guy who the Pittsburgh Steelers were in no rush to bring back during free agency.

There is a reason they didn't give him that much more money than the guy who was just on two practice squads with the Philadelphia Eagles and the Houston Texans, in Devin White. But, don't take it from me, take it from someone who watched and covered every single snap of Pratt's career with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Germaine Pratt's prime was right around when he had his fateful playoff moment against the Raiders in January of 2022, and it fizzled out about two years later. A former safety-turned-linebacker, Pratt brought plenty of explosion to the position and earned his second contract in 2023. His tape from 2024 suggests he's simply not that player anymore. He was a central culprit regarding Cincinnati's tackling problem. While younger players couldn't get on the field due to the convoluted nature of the scheme, Pratt's issues revolved mostly around his athletic decline. His Week 13 performance against the Pittsburgh Steelers stood out the most if you'd like a direct reference. The Bengals' defense as it currently stands needs all the athletes it can get, and it was no surprise to see Pratt find himself on the outside looking in. - John Sheeran, A to Z Sports Cincinnati

When I said it doesn't move the needle, I didn't mean it was a bad signing. Sure, why not go and get a guy that is better than what you have and for that cheap, too? But, he doesn't bring anything to the Raiders when it comes to the areas that the room struggles with the most, and that's in coverage.

Last year, he posted a PFF coverage grade of 53.4, an overall grade of 60.6, and a run defense grade of 70.1. And, hey, since everyone is saying he is a great tackler because of how many he had in 2024, he also posted a PFF tackle grade of 47.6, with 19 missed tackles in 2024. Having a ton of tackles doesn't always mean you're good at tackling or that you're a good defender. Sometimes, it's simply because the defensive line didn't do their job, and the offensive player made it into the second or third level.

But, in the run game, he was pretty decent -- that's not the debate. The Raiders already have two really good run defenders in White and Roberts, who may have been the best run defender in 2024 but struggled in coverage. Neither of those guys can cover, and neither can Pratt.

According to PFF, Pratt was targeted 79 times last season, which, according to Sports Info Solutions, was more than any linebacker. He allowed 62 catches for 659 yards and three touchdowns, the most of any linebacker in the league in all categories. When QBs target him, they see an abnormal amount of success, as he has a 103.5 QB rating when targeted.

The film shows it all. It shows lapses in his judgment while in coverage, but also his IQ, and that he often times was often lost, but even more times was just not athletic enough to be in the right spot. His coverage game was bad.

Now, none of this is an issue if they plan on playing Pratt as an off-ball linebacker, playing the run, and rushing the passer on blitz plays. But, that's what the other two do, too, so that still means they don't have anyone on the team who can cover, meaning, this move doesn't really move the needle, it just makes the one thing they are good at in that room, better, and the other things that need work, worse.

I will say, there aren't any other options in free agency when it comes to coverage guys. Like Pratt, they are all still free agents for a reason, Pratt's being that he was released from a team with one of the worst defenses in the league and a team that needs all the good defenders they can.

But, like I said, maybe I'm wrong and he is awesome on coverage. I hope that's the case.