Jamal Adams a step closer to earning starting role on Las Vegas Raiders

Jamal Adams is making the switch to linebacker with the Las Vegas Raiders, and the veteran defender is one step closer to earning a starting spot on Patrick Graham's defense.

According to Tashan Reed of The Athletic, Adams was taking some first-team reps at linebacker during Monday's practice.

"Seeing some first-team LB snaps for Jamal Adams," Reed wrote on X.

At this stage of his career, Adams is best suited to be a full-time linebacker rather than a safety. The three-time Pro Bowler has always been better in run defense and has played in the box for most of his career, so switching to linebacker isn't completely foreign territory.

Adams signed with the Raiders ahead of training camp after spending the 2024 season with the Tennessee Titans and Detroit Lions. The 29-year-old is no longer a high-level player, but can still provide some value as a veteran piece on the defense, and it looks like he's having a solid training camp.

The LSU product is best known for his time with the New York Jets and Seattle Seahawks, where he was an All-Pro safety. One of the main reasons Adams decided to sign with Las Vegas is the presence of Pete Carroll, who coached the former first-round pick in Seattle from 2020 to 2023.

As training camp goes on, the linebacker battle will be one to watch. With Devin White impressing at camp, and Germaine Pratt, Elandon Roberts, Tommy Eichenberg, and Adams also on the roster, the starting spots in the position group are wide open.

The Raiders will travel to Lumen Field to square off against the Seahawks in Week 1 of the preseason. Adams has already taken a step closer to obtaining a starting job, but a nice performance in the preseason could bring it home for the three-time All-Pro defender.