Teams that are looking to make the jump from the beginning of the draft to potential playoff-caliber franchises are always looking for ways to get better. The Las Vegas Raiders are one of those teams.
They have a decent roster when you look at it on paper, definitely one that's better than last year's roster. And, they added a better coaching staff. But, sometimes, that's still not enough. This franchise has had so many regimes over the last decade, and every one of them has given at least one portion of the fan base a sense of promise and hope. For all we know, this one could be the same as all the others we have witnessed.
So, looking for ways to always get better is something that is very important for GM John Spytek and the Raiders. One of their biggest weaknesses is their linebacker room, and who knows, they could add someone that would make that room better.
Based on what we are seeing from him in the UFL, it's very possible he could make them better, even if it's on the practice squad.
Raiders should look into UFL star Tae Crowder
Tae Crowder, a linebacker for the Birmingham Stallions in the UFL, was named the Defensive Player of the Week for Week 10 in 2025. In a 46-9 win over the Memphis Showboats, he made history as the first UFL player to record two pick-sixes in one game. He intercepted a tipped pass for a 51-yard touchdown in the first quarter and later returned another interception 75 yards for a touchdown, outscoring the Showboats single-handedly with 126 return yards.
Crowder played college football at Georgia, switching from running back to linebacker in 2016. He recorded 115 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks, helping Georgia’s defense to one of, if not the best, defenses in the country while he was there.
Crowder once played in the NFL, as he was drafted by the New York Giants in 2020. As a rookie, he had a 43-yard fumble return touchdown and led the Giants with 130 tackles in 2021. After starting 2022 with 43 tackles, he was waived and briefly joined the Pittsburgh Steelers and Los Angeles Chargers.
In 2025, Crowder joined the Stallions, contributing 38 tackles, two interceptions, two fumble recoveries, and four pass breakups.
The Raiders need to do whatever they can to get better, and this just might be an option.
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