The Las Vegas Raiders believe they’ve found a unique defensive weapon in Jeremy Chinn. After signing the versatile safety to a two-year, $16 million deal in March, general manager John Spytek praised Chinn’s rare blend of physical tools and mental sharpness.
“He’s got such an amazing skill set for a man of his size,” Spytek said, via Ryan McFadden of ESPN. “And you love the intelligence and the instincts that go with it.”
Meet the Raiders’ Secret Weapon: Jeremy Chinn Is Built to Wreck Game Plans
Standing 6-foot-3 and weighing 220 pounds, Chinn has long prided himself on his adaptability. Across five NFL seasons with the Panthers and Commanders, Chinn has logged over 1,000 snaps at both safety and outside linebacker, plus significant time in the slot and at inside linebacker, according to ESPN. His ability to impact the game from multiple alignments makes him a valuable chess piece in Patrick Graham’s defense.
“I think it started early on in my rookie season,” Chinn told ESPN. “There’s going to be a lot of different roles, a lot of different responsibilities. So I just kind of took that and rode with it.”
In Washington last year, Chinn started all 17 games and posted a career-high 117 tackles. He played close to the line of scrimmage in a three-safety look, producing 26 run stops—seventh most among safeties. While former Raiders safety Tre’von Moehrig excelled in a similar role, posting 30 run stops and 13 pressures, Chinn offers comparable physicality with slightly more size.
Coverage, however, remains a critical area for Chinn. He allowed five touchdowns and a 119.7 passer rating when targeted last season. But in early OTAs with the Raiders, he’s shown promise, including an interception and a pass breakup against tight end Michael Mayer.
“Just in terms of his leadership, he’s very sure of himself because he puts in the work,” said Graham. “And he’s been a sponge in terms of learning how we want to do things.”
Spytek envisions Chinn as a “big nickel”—a hybrid defender who can blitz, cover deep, or stop the run. With questions still looming at the nickel corner spot, Chinn’s flexibility could be pivotal.
“I feel like I can affect the game in a lot of ways,” Chinn said. “In this defense, it’s allowing me to do that.”