Just prior to the start of the season, the Raiders sent a fourth-round pick to Miami. Well, they sent a fourth-round pick *back* to Miami because they had just acquired that pick in a trade that sent this year’s third-round pick Lynn Bowden Jr to the Dolphins. Then they used that fourth-round pick to get former second-round pick Raekwon McMillan.
Hey, a third-round pick for a former second-round pick. That’s a win, right? Not exactly. McMillan has had two seasons to prove his draft status, while Bowden was shipped off before ever taking the field. Bowden has turned into a weapon for the Dolphins lately with17 catches over the past three games while McMillan has barely seen the field.
Even without getting the start last week against the Chargers, Raekwon McMillan got a season-high 28 snaps. And he had a pretty good game, making a season-high five combined tackles and a forced fumble.
“I was glad to get out there and showcase my talents,” McMillan said Wednesday. “I kind of a more lead by example type of guy, so I’ve been quiet this whole time I’ve been out here in Las Vegas, trying to get to know the team, trying to get guys to know me. But going out there on [Thursday night], getting to show my real emotions out there on the field with my team was pretty cool.”
The main reason for McMillan’s increase in snaps was Nicholas Morrow missing the game with a concussion.
The previous season-high for McMillan was week three when he had 19 snaps. That week the team was without middle linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski. Well, they are going to be without Kwiatkoski again this week as today he was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
It’s quite the timing for McMillan who could see another season-high in snaps while facing the team that drafted him only to trade him away after two seasons. Something he is at least claiming is no big deal.
“It’s a lot of familiar faces, but it’s just another game for me,” McMillan said of facing his former team. “Of course I’m going to be excited to see those guys and play against them and compete with them. Some of my longtime friends, Jerome Baker, I was with him at Ohio State and the other guys, Xavien Howard, Bobby McCain on the defensive end. It’s going to be good to see them, but I’m ready to compete, trying to get a win.”
The primary goal for McMillan is to prove he is more than just a run-stopping linebacker. In his first two years, he’s become known for being limited to stopping the run while being a liability in coverage. The Raiders may have no choice but to give him the chance to outplay his reputation. Whether he can do it or not could be the difference in whether they can hold the line against a tough Dolphins team.
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