Rolando McClain

After a turbulent 2012-13 that saw him exit Oakland and briefly hover in Baltimore, followed by off-the-field issues all the while, it looked like McClain's career was spiraling to an early end. But Dallas took a chance on him before last season, and McClain finished with more than 80 tackles despite playing just 633 snaps. He was re-signed by Dallas this offseason and is expected to be the lead linebacker again in 2015. Check his status as the season nears, though, as he is reportedly facing a four-game suspension for violating the league's substance abuse policy, though no decision had been reported as of press time.

Legal troubles have derailed the career of the eighth overall pick in 2010, but the Cowboys may be willing to give him another chance. McClain didn't play at all in 2013 though, and despite Dallas' need at linebacker following Sean Lee's latest injury he's a long shot to crack the roster or have a meaningful role.

McClain has been a disappointment since the Raiders drafted him eighth overall in 2010, but at least he showed some signs of breaking out last season. His 99 tackles aren't impressive at a glance, but he was active in coverage (14 passes defended) and totaled 48 tackles (42 solo) and four sacks in the final six weeks of the season. McClain is on the hot seat entering his third year and has a promising defensive mind (new head coach Dennis Allen) calling the shots in Oakland, so 2012 might finally be the year McClain lives up to his talent – assuming he’s a free man. Shortly before press time, McClain was convicted of assault and battery and faces a 180-day prison sentence. He’s practicing with the team, pending appeal, and it remains to be seen whether he’ll be available for the 2012 season and/or whether he’ll be suspended. As productive replacement linebackers are easy to find off the waiver wire, McClain is worth a late gamble so long as his case is unresolved.

After being selected eighth overall by the Raiders in last year’s draft, McClain was generally a disappointment, as he totaled just 85 tackles (59 solo) in 15 games. As weak as those numbers are, McClain pretty much has nowhere to go but up, and it’d be a huge disappointment if the former Alabama star failed to hit triple-digit tackles in each of his first two years in the league. Expect the Raiders to make a special effort to get more out of McClain in 2011.

Rookies tend not to be great IDP options, but in the average year there are typically one or two players — usually linebackers — who step right in and produce. McClain could be this year’s version of Brian Cushing or James Laurinaitis; a first-year player who starts from Week 1 and racks up 100-plus tackles. The Raiders had enough faith in McClain’s potential that they dealt incumbent starter Kirk Morrison to Jacksonville during the draft. McClain has good size at 6-4, 258, and should be able to consistently fight off blockers and get to ball carriers.