What’s next for Raiders at linebacker?

What’s the move after Las Vegas was denied Christian Elliss?

The Las Vegas Raiders tried to get creative to help fills some voids at the linebacker position by going to the rarely used restricted free-agent route by signing Christian Elliss to an offer sheet.

Monday, though, they found out that it didn’t work as the New England Patriots decided to match the contract the Raiders agreed to with Elliss and they will keep the 26-year-old.

The Raiders looked at Elliss, who has seven career starts, as a potential starter. Now, though, they have to regroup in their plan at the position.

The Raiders saw starting linebackers Robert Spillane (New England) and Divine Deablo (Atlanta Falcons) leave in free agency this month. They signed Elandon Roberts (Pittsburgh Steelers) to a one-year deal and he is set to replace Spillane at middle linebacker, but they need more at the position and that’s why they were interested in Elliss.

They do have young linebackers Kana’i Mauga, Amari Burney, Tommy Eeichenberg, Amari Gainer coming back but none have shown they are ready to take on a bigger role. Luke Masterson is a free agent.

There are some veteran free agents available such as Kyzir White, CJ Mosley, Jalen Reeves-Maybin and Eric Kendricks.

Las Vegas will also very likely will look at the position early in the draft, either in a trade-down in the first round or either in the second or third round.