Raiders Draft 2024: Tommy Eichenberg exudes what Las Vegas wants

5th-round linebacker is my favorite pick of the Raiders’ draft

The Las Vegas Raiders followed the best player available approach throughout the 2024 NFL Draft this past weekend and by doing so, general manager Tom Telesco nabbed players that fit what head coach Antonio Pierce wants from his football team.

One of those such prospects is linebacker Tommy Eichenberg.

Taken in the fifth round (No. 148 overall), the Ohio State defender exudes what Pierce wants out of a Raider. Eichenberg has the size — 6-foot-2 and 233 pounds — along with the collegiate production — 268 total tackles, 21 stops for loss, 3.5 sacks, and 2 interceptions — and the experience as a starting middle linebacker in a 4-2-5 nickel alignment that checks off major Silver & Black boxes.

But the biggest must-have that the 23-year-old defender has is his practice habits match what you see on the field and on tape. Eichenberg never goes half-speed and displays the same frenetic energy that made him a tackling machine in the Buckeye’s defense. Pierce talks fondly of “Maxx Crosby Energy”, the full speed all the time — in practice and games — and Eichenberg is exactly that.

By The Numbers: Tommy Eichenberg

• School: Ohio State
• Position: Linebacker
• Height: 6-foot-2
• Weight: 233 pounds
• 2023 Stats: 82 total tackles (41 solo), 2.5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble
• Career Stats: 268 total tackles (151 solo), 21 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, 2 interceptions, 1 touchdown, 5 pass defensed, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery

The culture and production fit was too great for the Raiders to pass up — especially in the fifth round — as Eichenberg was earmarked as a third- or fourth-round talent depending on the ranking system used. The physicality, high motor, and true grit the Ohio native displayed during his tenure at Ohio State should translate very well to Las Vegas.

Which makes Eichenberg my favorite draft pick by the Silver & Black.

He has the demeanor and skillset to jump into the fray at middle linebacker for defensive coordinator Patrick Graham and provide depth behind Robert Spillane while immediately becoming a potential favorite by special teams coach Tom McMahon.

Defensive Fit

As the Mike linebacker in Jim Knowles 4-2-5 scheme at Ohio State, Eichenburg arrives to Las Vegas with knowledge and experience in a nickel formation. The Raiders ran more of that nickel formation under Graham this past season and don’t expect that to change.

Eichenberg’s film showcases an instinctive linebacker that attacks the line of scrimmage and stonewalls the run. He consistently gets his nose dirty by taking on offensive linemen and work well off blocks with powerful hands. A true seek-and-destroy type linebacker, Eichenburg takes great and uses his quickness and aggressiveness to fire at run stuffs. He’s a reliable wrap up tackler which something Las Vegas needs more of.

Dubbed the “quarterback of the defense” by Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day, Eichenberg’s ability to read and react will suit him well as a Raider.

While he may be a stout run defender, pass coverage is Eichenberg’s biggest area of opportunity. Unlike his aggressive nature when defending the run, the linebacker is very conservative in pass coverage and doesn’t appear as fluid one-on-one with pass catchers. His read and react while in coverage is delayed and not as quick when diagnosing the run.

Fortunately for Eichenberg, he’ll get a veteran to show him the ropes in that department in Spillane. While Eichenburg will not be mistaken for a fast chase-and-cover linebacker, he does have the ability to drop into zone coverage and read the eyes of the quarterback. Eichenberg will need to speed up the reaction time, however. He allowed a lot of catches in front of him, but his tackling ability limited yards after catch (YAC).

Special Teamer

Eichenberg’s frenetic energy and non-stop motor should make him an instant favorite for core special teams work. The Ohio State linebacker handled that kind of duty in college and McMahon’s special teams crew can use someone like Eichenberg.

In a game where field position can make the difference between scoring points and preventing the other team from end zone visits, a player like Eichenberg can ingratiate himself rather quickly. And the easiest way to make a 53-man roster is becoming a core special teamer.

That entails punt return, punt coverage, kickoff return, kickoff coverage, hands team and field goal and PAT. A player must be fast enough to sprint downfield when covering a kick. And be equally as quick when going up the field to block. A core special teamer must be both mentally and physically tough knowing at full speed they’ll engage with another player full speed and still must be able to make the tackle or block. Being a special teamer requires instincts to follow the kick while executing assignments and be elusive enough to avoid would-be blockers to make a play.

That all fits Eichenberg’s wheelhouse but he’ll need to prove he can do it at the pro level.

Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

Rookie Outlook

Spillane and Divine Deablo are locked in the two starting linebackers in a nickel set and with Luke Masterson, that trio represents the likeliest starting three in a 4-3 alignment. Depth is still unsettled behind the starters, however, as Darien Butler, Kana’i Mauga, Amari Burney, and Eichenberg represent the seven total linebackers on the roster now.

Butler, Burney, Mauga, and Masterson will also likely compete for special teams snaps and Eichenberg will need to showcase he’s a better option that those four. But his nose for the ball and sure tackling will open eyes in camp.

The ceiling for Eichenberg is core special teamer with rotational snaps on defense his rookie year. Spillane and Deablo are slated to hit unrestricted free agency next offseason absent contract extensions, so 2025 may be the year for more defensive work for Eichenberg.