5 players who the Las Vegas Raiders need to be great in 2020

2. Cory Littleton, LB

Last season, the then-Oakland Raiders struggled in a big way at the linebacker position, especially in terms of coverage. Tahir Whitehead, while a solid tackler, is one of the worst coverage linebackers in football, and the hope is that the players the Raiders brought in this offseason can help fix this deficiency on the defense.

This offseason, Las Vegas targeted the linebacker room early on in free agency, bringing in guys like Nick Kwiatkoski and Cory Littleton. Kwiatkoski is going to wear the green dot for the Raiders on defense, but if this linebacker group is going to improve, all the focus is going to be on Littleton.

Former teammate Lamarcus Joyner came over to the Raiders last offseason with big expectations after playing so well with the Los Angeles Rams, but he was wildly disappointing in Year 1. Littleton will be expected to change the Raiders defense in a big way, and he certainly has the skill set to do so.

Littleton is one of the best cover linebackers in football, and his arrival should make this Raiders defense, especially against the pass, better immediately. Las Vegas did a nice job adding to all three levels of the defense this offseason, but Littleton may be the most important piece they have added.