Las Vegas takes highly productive Buckeye linebacker
The Las Vegas Raiders made an interesting pick in the fifth round when they took Ohio State linebacker Tommy Eichenberg with the No. 148 pick.
Here are some thoughts on the choice:
Production:
Eichenberg was physical presence for the stout Ohio State defense. He is a smart, old-school player who is excellent against the run. He was an all Big Ten selection and second-team All-American.
Limitations:
He doesn’t have much speed and is a liability in pass coverage. So, he projects as a part-time player in the NFL. Many scouts are not sure his game translates to the NFL level. But at this point of the draft, you take a chance on his because he is a productive football player who fits Raiders’ coach Antonio Pierce’s style.
Where he fits:
He probably will be a special teamer and backup as a rookie. But he adds youth at a position where the Raiders could use some. If either starter Divine Deablo or Robert Spillane (who are both candidates to receive contract extension this summer) leave next year, Eichenberg could compete for a bigger role in 2025.
Staff connection:
Eichenberg was at Ohio State with new Raiders’ assistant head coach Joe Philbin at Ohio State in 2023. Surely, Philbin had some good insight and spoke highly of Eichenberg during the Raiders’ draft process.
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