When it was revealed that the Las Vegas Raiders were going to run a 3-4 base defense under new defensive coordinator Rob Leonard, one of the first big questions was who was going to play nose tackle. The team didn’t do much to address the position in free agency or the draft, but finally found somebody who could fill the role.
The Raiders announced that they’ve signed Benito Jones to the roster.
– Signed DT Benito Jones
– Waived/Injured DT Brodric Martin
#RaiderNation | @RaidersJones was one of the top nose tackles left in free agency. He first came into the NFL as an undrafted free agent signing of the Miami Dolphins in 2020. Leonard was the assistant defensive line coach for the team at the time, so he knows Jones well.
He got off to a slow start to his career, but eventually developed into a starter when he went to the Detroit Lions. Over the last three years, he’s started 38 games between the Dolphins and Lions.
Jones is a huge space eater at 335 pounds, so he’s a prime candidate to be the defense’s nose tackle in 3-4 packages. Over his career, he has 10 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. To make room for Jones, the Raiders cut Brodric Martin. The former third-round pick was actually a teammate of Jones when they were both with the Detroit Lions. He joined the Raiders last season, but couldn’t get on the field. It sounds like he’s injured, but it remains to be seen the extent of his injury.
Raiders Have UDFA Who Could Compete at NT
Jones is the most experienced nose tackle on the Raiders’ roster now, but that doesn’t guarantee that he’s going to see a ton of snaps this season. The team has some young players worth keeping an eye on.
Kevin Fielder of Wide Left believes that the Raiders’ undrafted free agent signing Gary Smith III was an underrated player who has a chance to make the roster.
“While Smith doesn’t offer much athletically, his 2025 film showed more explosiveness and quickness than any other season, likely a direct byproduct of him losing 20 pounds following a season-ending injury in 2024,” Fielder wrote. “Even with that increased quickness, Smith’s calling card is pure strength and aggressive hands, making him an intriguing space-eating nose tackle.”
Don’t Sleep on Brandon Cleveland
The Raiders were expected to address the need at defensive tackle early, but ended up waiting until the seventh round to add one. They did eventually take one in the seventh round in the form of Brandon Cleveland.
Director of football operations and player personnel for the Shrine Bowl Eric Galko thinks Cleveland has a chance to be an impact player at the NFL level.
“The Raiders landed a powerful, NFL-ready interior defensive lineman in Brandon Cleveland,” Galko wrote on X. “A two-year starter at NC State who showed the ability to hold the point of attack in the run game at 6’3 and 307, but also the ability to penetrate to finish in the backfield. His 7 TFLs this year (and 10 over the last two years) highlight his three-down value for the Raiders defense.”
Raiders Sign Former Dolphins & Lions Starting DL, Cut Young Vet