Raiders linebacker Ben Heeney has signed his four-year rookie contract, the team announced on Wednesday. The first of two fifth-round draft picks inked his deal following on the second day of Raiders OTAs, which continue into June.
The middle linebacker out of Kansas will get paid an amount fitting of his draft slot, using the rookie wage scale.
The 6-foot-0, 231-pound tackling machine led the Big 12 in tackles three times, and should be active on special teams and provide depth during his rookie season.
Heeney jumped on head coach Jack Del Rio’s radar following a recommendation Mike Bell, a former teammate with the Kansas City Chiefs.
He plays with his hair on fire,” Del Rio told NFL Network a few weeks back. “Boogie Bell texted me before the NFL combine and said ‘keep an eye on this guy.’ We started watching him in the drills, and of course, he had that crazy hairdo at the combine. We got back and started watching tape, and he’s just all over the place on defense. He was productive. He has a great mindset in terms of linebacker play and special teams. We’re excited to add him.”
