Though the main focus of rookie minicamp is for a team to get their first up-close looks at all of their rookies, it’s also a time when veterans can try out for roster spots. The Las Vegas Raiders have taken advantage of this.
They already signed linebacker Jaylon Smith after a successful workout, and they aren’t stopping there. According to KPRC 2 Houston’s Aaron Wilson, the Raiders are signing defensive back Jonathan Sutherland following a workout at rookie minicamp.
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Sutherland is a name that should be familiar to head coach Pete Carroll. The safety played with the Seattle Seahawks in 2023 when Carroll was still coaching there.
New Las Vegas Raiders DB Jonathan Sutherland.Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
Sutherland spent five years at Penn State before going undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft. The Seahawks took a flyer on him and gave him a practice squad spot. He wasn’t able to get on the field for a regular season game.
He landed with the New York Giants last year, but was let go before the start of the season. He has yet to play any NFL snaps that weren’t in the preseason.
The Raiders lost their two starting safeties from last season in free agency, as Tre’von Moehrig and Marcus Epps signed elsewhere. The team re-signed Isaiah Pola-Mao and brought in Jeremy Chinn as a free agent.
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Those are the two likely starters for the Raiders, but there could be an opening for a young player to try and earn a spot. Sutherland was also a key special teams player in college, so he could have value there.
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