What did free agency just reveal about the Raiders’ defense?

In this episode of the Silver & Black Sports Network Podcast, Jesse Merrick is joined by Cody Alexander (MatchQuarters.com) to break down what the Raiders’ offseason moves tell us about Rob Leonard’s vision for this defense.

This isn’t just a recap…

It’s about understanding what the Raiders are actually building.

🧠 In this episode:

• What the Raiders’ free agency moves reveal

• How adding Taron Johnson changes the defense

• Why three-safety looks are taking over the NFL

• The missing piece the Raiders still need in the secondary

• Why the “3-4 defense” talk is being misunderstood

• What this means for their defensive line strategy

• Do the Raiders even need a true nose tackle?

Free agency gave us clues…

Now we’re connecting the dots.

👇 QUESTION FOR RAIDER NATION

What do YOU think the Raiders are building on defense?

CHAPTERS

00:00 Analyzing the Raiders' Defensive Moves

04:53 Taron Johnson's Role and Impact

07:45 Defensive Schemes: Nickel vs. Base Defense

10:50 The Importance of Versatile Safeties

13:52 Drafting Hybrid Safeties for the Future

16:37 Front Seven Dynamics and Player Rotations

27:18 Defensive Strategies and Player Utilization

31:51 The Impact of New Linebacker Signings

37:20 Understanding the Role of a True Nose Tackle

40:53 Drafting for Defensive Needs

45:53 Future Defensive Strategies and Player Development

📺 Subscribe for more Raiders coverage

Silver & Black Sports Network

📰 FREE Raiders Newsletter

https://SilverAndBlackSportsNetwork.com

📲 Follow SBSN:

X: https://twitter.com/JesseSBSN

Instagram: https://instagram.com/SilverAndBlackSportsNetwork

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@silverandblacksportsnet

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563125927573

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

🚨 LIVE RAIDERS MOCK DRAFT 🚨

This isn’t your typical mock draft… We already know how Round 1 likely plays out.

The real question is: What will the Raiders do after that?

In this live episode of the Silver & Black Sports Network Podcast, Jesse Merrick goes pick-by-pick through a full 7-round Raiders mock draft — focusing on the strategy behind every selection.

From Round 2 through Day 3, we break down:

• How the Raiders are likely to approach each pick

• The different scenarios that could unfold

• Why certain players and positions make sense

• How free agency impacts their draft plan

• The overall blueprint for building this roster

💬 THIS IS A LIVE SHOW

We’re building this draft together.

Drop your picks, reactions, and questions in the chat as we go — and help shape how this mock plays out in real time.

🧠 What makes this different:

This isn’t just “who I would pick”… It’s about predicting what the Raiders will actually do.

👇 QUESTION FOR RAIDER NATION

How do you want the Raiders to approach the second round? Is there a position group you'd like to see them attack at No. 36?

CHAPTERS

02:48 Analyzing the Top Pick: Fernando Mendoza

09:00 Second Round

17:54 Third Round

34:51 Fourth Round

49:20 Fifth Round

01:01:30 Sixth Round

01:07:37 Seventh Round

01:12:50 Recapping My Mock Draft

01:16:55 Re-Running a 4-round Mock Draft

🔔 Subscribe for more Raiders coverage

📰 FREE Raiders Newsletter

https://SilverAndBlackSportsNetwork.com

📲 Follow SBSN

X: https://twitter.com/JesseSBSN

Instagram: https://instagram.com/SilverAndBlackSportsNetwork

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@silverandblacksportsnet

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Silver-Black-Sports-Network/61563125927573/

#Raiders #RaiderNation #RaidersNews

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What exactly are the Raiders getting in Jalen Nailor and Kwity Paye?

In this episode of the Silver & Black Sports Network Podcast, Jesse Merrick breaks down two of the Raiders’ recent signings — with insight from the people who covered them closely.

This isn’t just a stat-based breakdown.

This is about what these players actually put on tape — and how they fit in Las Vegas.

Matthew Coller (Purple Insider, @MatthewColler on X) joins the show to explain why Jalen Nailor could be a breakout candidate and how he fits in Klint Kubiak’s offense.

Then Zach Hicks (Colts on SI / Locked On Colts, @ZachHicks2 on X) breaks down Kwity Paye’s game, including where he lines up, how he wins, and how he fits alongside Maxx Crosby, Malcolm Koonce, and the rest of the Raiders pieces on defense.

🧠 In this episode:

• Why Jalen Nailor could be a breakout player

• His role in Klint Kubiak’s offense

• Strengths, weaknesses, and player comps

• Where Kwity Paye fits in the Raiders defense

• How he’ll be used (standup vs hand-in-the-dirt)

• His fit alongside Crosby, Koonce, and others in the front seven

👇 QUESTION FOR RAIDER NATION

What excites you most about Jalen Nailor and Kwity Paye?

Do you think one of them could be a key piece moving forward?

Drop your thoughts in the comments.

CHAPTERS

00:00 WHAT DO NAILOR AND PAYE BRING TO THE RAIDERS?

02:30 JALEN NAILOR BREAKDOWN W/ MATTHEW COLLER

23:00 KWITY PAYE DEEP DIVE W/ ZACH HICKS

🔔 Subscribe for more Raiders coverage

Silver & Black Sports Network

📰 Sign up for our FREE Raiders Newsletter

https://SilverAndBlackSportsNetwork.com

📲 Follow SBSN

X: https://twitter.com/JesseSBSN

Instagram: https://instagram.com/SilverAndBlackSportsNetwork

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@silverandblacksportsnet

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Silver-Black-Sports-Network/61563125927573/

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.