3 Raiders who likely won’t be back in 2021

2. Maliek Collins

The Raiders inked Collins to a one-year, $6.25 million deal in free agency to help solidify the middle of their defensive line. The gamble hasn’t paid off for Las Vegas. Collins has failed to secure a regular place in Gruden’s starting lineup and has only managed to hit the quarterback once all season.

The team might have some small interest in re-signing Collins, but they won’t entertain the idea of paying him anything close to the premium salary he earned in 2020. Instead, the coaching staff will move forward with Maurice Hurst and Kendal Vickers as two members of their interior defensive line rotation. If the team does bring a big-name veteran back, look for it to be Johnathan Hankins instead of Collins.

The future for Collins as a free agent is murky at best. He flashed big-time playmaking ability earlier in his NFL career, but his performance over the past several seasons has left much to be desired. Someone will be interested in taking a flier on the 26-year-old defensive lineman in free agency, but he might have to wait for some time to secure an offer he is interested in accepting.

The Raiders won’t stand pat at the defensive tackle position even if Hankins does return. They need to add another potential starter to the group via either free agency or the draft. The Collins signing clearly didn’t work out and the Raiders still have a need to fill on the interior of their defensive line.