Former Colts LB Philip Wheeler visited the Raiders today for a workout. He is a 4 year veteran and former 3rd round pick by Indianapolis. He has played in 61 games and started 24 including starting 11 last season for Indianapolis.
Wheeler is 27 years old and is listed as being 6’2″ and 245 lbs. He played mostly weakside linebacker which was Raiders’ Aaron Curry’s position last year but it’s likely he could fit in at strongside for the Raiders. He does have good quickness to play against a TE and did show some blizting abilities in college at Georgia Tech.
If signed, Wheeler fits what the Raiders are doing this offseason which is to find players that have good upside and can contribute as a role player without being too expensive.
According to Raiders beat writer Vittorio Tafur, respected website Pro Football Focus rated Wheeler 12th among all outside linebackers last season.
Wheeler has already met with Miami on 3/23/12. That he hasn’t accepted a contract from them by now either means one hasn’t been extended or he wasn’t happy with the terms. He did mention in a tweet that he was considering taking his talents to South Beach which likely means that an offer was made, it just didn’t blow him away.
Wheeler started 11 games last season and played in 13 total. He had 84 total tackles, 1 sack and 1 forced fumble in 2011.
For the Raiders only S Tyvon Branch (109) and MLB Rolando McClain (99) had more than Wheeler’s 84 tackles last season.
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