Film Room: Amari Gainer making strong case to earn roster spot

Undrafted free agent linebacker has had two impressive games

Not much was expected of undrafted free agent Amari Gainer heading into the Las Vegas Raiders training camp. However, the North Carolina product has been a standout during the Raiders’ first two preseason games.

Pro Football Focus currently has Gainer as the team’s highest-graded defender with a near-elite grade of 89.9. A big reason for that is he’s been sharp in coverage, drawing six targets with just two completions allowed for 19 yards and a couple of pass breakups to earn an 88.5 mark in that department.

The linebacker has also posted a solid 69.6 PFF run defense grade to push for a roster spot. So, let’s dive into the tape and see what he could bring to the table.

This is the only reception Gainer allowed in Minnesota and its an impressive rep from the young linebacker.

It’s second and 10 with the Raiders playing Cover 3. Post snap, he’s reading the quarterback’s eyes while working for depth and width to get to his landmark which keeps the receiver in front of him and reduces the amount of gournd he has to cover laterally.

Once the ball is out, Gainer has the movement skills and speed to collapse on the receiver shortly after the receiver makes the catch. With a nice open field tackle, he prevents any yards after the catch and sets up a third and six. That’s a beautiful close to create a favorable situation for the defense.

Las Vegas is running Cover 3 again and Minnesota has a great play call for it, running a four verts concept where the outside receivers run comebacks and the two inside guys are on seam routes. That’s difficult to defend because the defense has three deep defenders to cover four deep routes, so someone playing underneath coverage has to step up.

Enter Amari Gainer…

Gainer does a decent job of recognizing the concept and working for depth to tighten the throwing window and help out the secondary. Still, the quarterback has enough room to complete this pass to the tight end up the seam with the safety cheating toward the two-receiver side of the formation.

However, the linebacker brought his Air Jordans to the game and jumps up to make an amazing PBU, preventing the completion. That’s a special play and one that the coaching staff will remember while filling out the final roster.

This next clip combines the last two with an impressive close that results in another pass breakup.

It’s second and forever and the Raiders are in Cover 3 again. Now, I will say that I’d like to see Gainer stay deep in his zone to help takeaway the dig route behind him instead of starting to come downhill on the running back, especially given situation. But, Trey Lance doesn’t throw the dig and scrambles instead.

From there, the linebacker does a good job of baiting Lance into the throw by keeping his distance from the back while still being within range to collapse on the back. Once the ball is out, Gainer’s acceleration comes into play again as he makes contact right as the ball reaches the target, and he’s able to disrupt the catchpoint to force an incompletion.

Moving onto a few reps against the run, Patrick Graham has the linebackers slant to the weakside of the formation post-snap on this rep. With Gainer’s speed and movement skills, that helps him build some momentum to take on the left guard’s block. Also, the linebacker is pretty consistent about taking on blocks with his hands which, combined with the momentum he built, allows him to get off the block and make the tackle.

A little better pad level and some extra mass will help limit the yards after contact, but this is a nice rep from a young linebacker and an encouraging one to build on down the line.

Here, we’ll see another example of how taking on blocks with his hands helps the former Tar Heel make plays against the run.

It’s a short yardage situation so he comes downhill to fulfill his gap responsibility and hlep force the running back to bounce outside. Notice how Gainer attacks the right tackle with his hands to keep some distance between him and the offensive linemen.

So, when the back bounces, Gainer is able to escape the block and get involved in the tackle to help prevent the first down.

We’ll end with what I’d call a “grown man” play by the undrafted free agent against the run.

The Raiders are backed up on the goal line and facing a heavy formation from the Cowboys. So, Gainer comes downhill, takes on the block with his hands, showing off some impressive physicality and upper body strength to standup the center at the point of attack. Again, that allows him to get off the block and get involved in the tackle to help prevent the touchdown.

For what it’s worth, Gainer has also posted a solid 68.0 PFF special teams grade this preseason, so don’t be surprised if he winds up on the 53-man roster at the end of training camp.