Cory Littleton

Two years removed from signing a lucrative contract with the Raiders, Littleton was released this offseason. The 28-year-old started 13 of 17 games for Las Vegas last season, posting 98 tackles to go with a fumble recovery. Now with four straight campaigns with at least 80 stops, the Panthers added Littleton to provide a reliable presence alongside fellow veteran linebackers Shaq Thompson and Damien Wilson in 2022.

Littleton originally signed a three-year deal worth just north of $35 million ahead of his arrival in Las Vegas last season, but the contract has since been restructured, as he saw his production dip to 82 tackles (56 solo) in 2020 after amassing 259 total takedowns throughout his final two seasons with the Rams. Competition might be lacking at outside linebacker for the Raiders, however, so Littleton's starting spot could be safe with 2020 third-rounder Tanner Muse not yet on track to threaten the veteran's playing time.

Littleton took on a big coverage burden with the Rams and mostly held up, making him appealing in free agency to any team that could use a coverage upgrade at linebacker. The Raiders qualified, so they signed Littleton to a three-year, $35 million deal, locking him into a three-down role in the process. With that, Littleton is assured both a high floor and ceiling. He made 259 tackles while playing 2,020 defensive snaps the last two years, adding significant production as a blitzer (7.5 sacks) and in coverage (five interceptions, 22 passes defended). There might be less of a target funnel toward Littleton with the Raiders because their corners are worse, but Littleton's consistent involvement in all of run defense, pass rush and coverage give him more production channels than the vast majority of linebackers.

The Rams ask Littleton to take on ambitious coverage assignments in addition to his leading role in run defense, affording him many opportunities to make tackles and big plays. Targeted a staggering 57 times last year in coverage, Littleton held his own and supplemented his 120-plus tackles with a strong showing as a blitzer and interception threat. While Littleton's production appears maxed out, his steady role means he shouldn't suffer too much regression. Teams will need to continue throwing to keep up with the Rams, and Littleton will be chasing.

Littleton started the last four games of 2017 and proved he's capable of the role, managing 25 tackles, one sack and one interception. He's expected to work in that role right of the bat in 2018 and could be a value option as he sits off of most fantasy radars.