Cory James
The Raiders picked newly converted inside linebacker Cory James in the sixth round back in May. And at the time, they thought they were getting a special teams player. Ben Heeney and Malcolm Smith would be the starting inside linebackers.
But in the preseason, James looked like the best inside linebacker on the team. Heeney didn’t look the same against the run and always got abused in pass coverage. Then the regular season started and Heeney never did fix whatever his problem was.
So in Week 3, James gets his opportunity to start against the Tennessee Titans and the defense improved immediately. Then in Week 4 against the Baltimore Ravens, he makes a bigger impact with 15 tackles. He proves to be a physical player in that game too.
His physicality at only 5’11”, 230 pounds, he reminds me of Chicago Bears legend Mike Singletary. Heeney is on injured reserve now with an ankle injury so James can run with his opportunity. The Raiders defense is better in the middle with James in the lineup.