Raiders are hosting a sneaky defensive player who could help fill a huge void that Vegas currently has on its roster
The Raiders like what they have seen from DT Chris McClellan.
The Las Vegas Raiders aim to complete their roster through the 2026 NFL Draft and the Undrafted Free Agent market. They hold 11 draft picks, which could change if they decide to make trades.
They have plenty of picks to make sure they address all of the needs they have, even the glaring hole at nose tackle and defensive tackle. Since they’re in a new defensive scheme, switching to a 3-4 from a 4-3, they don’t have a nose tackle. They need one, and they can get one. In fact, they’re hosting a guy on Monday who could play that role, or at least the role of a three-technique that can eat up space.
The Raiders are hosting Missouri Tigers defensive tackle Chris McClellan
On Monday, Mizzou DT Chris McClellan posted a picture of the Raiders headquarters in Henderson, Nevada, on his Instagram story, indicating that he is there for a pre-draft visit. McClellan is the No. 18 defensive tackle on our big board at A to Z Sports, and the No. 182nd player overall.
The Raiders need a defensive tackle, preferably one who can play the nose tackle position and take up space. However, they will take anything they can get in that department—anything that can help them fit the 3-4 scheme they are moving to under new defensive coordinator Rob Leonard, rather than the 4-3 they used to run.
In the 3-4 scheme, you absolutely have to have a nose tackle, someone who can eat up space, plug gaps and run lanes, while also collapsing the pocket in the pass game. McClellan can be a nose tackle in the NFL in terms of his size. He’s 6’4, 323 pounds, but has some good pass-rush tools in his arsenal.
According to Pro Football Focus, in his last three seasons, he only played 108 total snaps over the A Gap, or the center, which is considered nose tackle. That’s where the Raiders need the most help. He’s done it before, but the question would be, can he do it at the next level?
Las Vegas Raiders News
Raiders are showing clear interest in an SEC defender who could be a versatile chess piece on their defense in 2026
The Raiders could use a player like him.
