In a surprising move that’s sending ripples through the NFL community, the Las Vegas Raiders have officially released third-year defensive standout Divine Deablo to make room for the acquisition of veteran linebacker Germaine Pratt. The decision reflects the Raiders’ aggressive push to reshape their defensive core heading into the 2025 season.
The Move
Sources inside the Raiders organization confirmed that the decision to part ways with Deablo was financially and strategically motivated. The team has been active this offseason in bolstering a defense that struggled mightily against both the run and pass last season. By releasing Deablo, a player with flashes of potential but limited consistency, the Raiders clear both cap space and a roster spot for a more proven commodity in Pratt.
Germaine Pratt, 28, comes to Las Vegas after spending six productive seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals, where he established himself as one of the league’s more reliable inside linebackers. Known for his sideline-to-sideline speed, tackling efficiency, and leadership presence, Pratt recorded a career-high 126 tackles, 3 sacks, and 2 interceptions last season, helping the Bengals remain competitive in the AFC North.
Deablo’s Departure
Deablo, a converted college safety drafted by the Raiders in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft, showed flashes of promise, particularly in his sophomore campaign where he tallied 106 total tackles. However, injuries and inconsistency plagued his 2024 season, leading to frustrations within the coaching staff regarding his development trajectory.
While many expected Deablo to compete for a starting role in the linebacker rotation, it became increasingly clear that the new defensive scheme under coordinator Patrick Graham required a more physically dominant and experienced presence in the middle.
Why Germaine Pratt?
The signing of Pratt signals a clear win-now mentality for head coach Antonio Pierce. The Raiders, fresh off an 8-9 campaign, believe that shoring up the middle of the defense with a proven veteran can help solidify a front seven that also features star pass rusher Maxx Crosby and emerging talents like Tyree Wilson and Byron Young.
Pratt’s arrival brings leadership to a young defense that often lacked composure in key moments last season. His postseason experience with Cincinnati, including their Super Bowl LVI run, adds value for a Raiders team desperate to return to playoff contention.
What’s Next?
While Deablo’s release may come as a shock to some within Raider Nation, expect several teams to express interest in claiming or signing him, given his athleticism and versatility. Teams looking for linebacker depth, particularly those running hybrid 3-4 defenses, could view Deablo as a valuable reclamation project.
For Las Vegas, the focus now shifts to integrating Pratt quickly into the defensive scheme and establishing chemistry during training camp.
This move underscores a key theme of the Raiders’ 2025 offseason: no spot is safe, and every decision is aimed at ending their playoff drought.
