ALAMEDA, Calif. -- Despite having never taken an NFL snap on defense, Tyrell Adams ran with the Oakland Raiders' first-team defense at middle linebacker throughout the team’s offseason program.
The practice squad survivor -- he was called up for the last six games of the regular season last year -- looked the part, until being supplanted by fifth-round draft pick Marquel Lee in the first week of training camp.
But in this past Saturday’s exhibition at the Dallas Cowboys, Adams again received reps with the ones, despite Lee getting the start. And with the Raiders still needing to shore up the middle of their defense, Adams will continue to be afforded chances to show not only does he deserve to make Oakland’s 53-man roster, but also, perhaps, start in the middle of the defense.
Especially in Thursday night’s preseason finale at home against the Seattle Seahawks.
“I took a couple steps forward from my previous years,” Adams said this week. “Kind of getting myself an opportunity, as far as making an opening day roster. Just little things I can work on, but I’m feeling pretty good.”
Originally signed by the Seahawks as an undrafted rookie out of West Georgia in 2015, Adams had spent time on practice squads in Seattle and Kansas City before the Raiders signed him to their practice squad last fall.
In six games with the Raiders, after being signed to the active roster prior to Week 12, he appeared solely on special teams.
“We’re coaching them up,” defensive coordinator Ken Norton, Jr. said during OTAs. “They understand the scheme. Cory [James] and Tyrell [Adams] are playing really hard.
“We’re very impressed with what we see so far. It’s still early in the process. It’s a big process that is involved here and we have to continue to fall in love with the process. There’s a lot of practice out there, a lot of learning, still.”
At 6-foot-2, 228 pounds, Adams is not the prototypical thumper at MLB. He tries to make up for it with his speed, which is also different for a middle linebacker.
“It’s a different game now, so you’ve got to be able to do both,” Adams said, “play both the run and those pass slots.
“Trying to show these guys I really can play. Every game is kind of big. Just keep building that momentum and trying to make good film ... put myself in the best position to help the team.”
Adams’ 13 tackles in the preseason are tied for the team lead, along with James, outside linebacker Jelani Jenkins and rookie safety Shalom Luani.
“Honestly, I’m just doing whatever they need me to do right now,” Adams said, “so I’ll let those things handle themselves and just keep playing the best I can.”