The Las Vegas Raiders entered the second week of training camp with many starting positions up for grabs. Highlighting one of the biggest and most important competitions on defense is the number two defensive tackle spot alongside Adam Butler. If the Raiders can identify the right replacement for Christian Wilkins, they could prevent the position from becoming a weakness.
Also Read: Las Vegas Raiders: Suddenly Cut an Injured $110 Million Star
The team will have at least four players competing for the spot, including a second-year player.
The Las Vegas Raiders’ young DT had a solid rookie season
The Indianapolis Colts waived Jonah Laulu during the roster cutdown deadline, and the Las Vegas Raiders claimed him off waivers. After a minimal defensive role early in his rookie season, the seventh-round pick’s role increased following Christian Wilkins’s injury, starting seven of the final 12 games. Laulu recorded 35 tackles, three TFLs, two quarterback hits, and one sack across 17 games and 43% of snaps.
He will compete against Leki Fotu, J.J. Pegues, and Tonka Hemingway this summer.
Las Vegas Raiders’ sleeper in line for key role in 2025
So far, Jonah Laulu has split first-team reps at defensive tackle during training camp. The under-the-radar player has impressed Pete Carroll throughout camp. Carroll praised Laulu for showing flashes as a rookie, his technique, length, doing things right, and playing hard in every practice.
“Jonah really flashed last year when he played,” Carroll said, via Levi Damien of Raiders Wire. “He didn’t play consistently, he didn’t get in all the time, didn’t log a ton of plays, but he shows all of the traits. He’s really long, he plays really good technique wise, he’s a little bit quicker than you might think for a big guy, and he uses it well. His resolve about coming from the offseason all through camp is really clear, He’s really on it. He’s playing day after day after day, he’s doing things right, he’s playing hard and he’s really tuned in and he’s playing tough. He’s making a great pitch that he needs to be out there a lot.”
Jonah Laulu is ready to prove his worth
“It’s a mindset I’ve always had since I was younger. I’ve always felt like I had something to prove,” Laulu said. “I always wanted to take care of my family. I always had a chip on my shoulder. It’s just a mindset of never being satisfied. Little victories, be happy about that, pat yourself on the back or whatever, but you just got to keep going to work. Nobody cares about what you did yesterday. Nobody cares about my rookie year, none of that. I didn’t do anything to be honest. I’m looking at what’s next.”
