Derrick Moncrief eager to begin his NFL career

Derrick Moncrief is looking forward to going from the Riders to the Raiders.

The 26-year-old product of Prattville, Ala., spent the past three CFL seasons playing linebacker with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. On Jan. 8, the Roughriders released Moncrief so he could pursue NFL opportunities — and the next day he signed a futures contract with the Las Vegas Raiders.

“The first time I went out (to Oakland, where the Raiders currently are based) for a visit, I felt great about it,” Moncrief told The Green Zone on Thursday. “I liked the coaches (and) the whole organization’s feel and they made me feel like I was at home right away.”

Saskatchewan was Moncrief’s home for three seasons. He signed with the Roughriders prior to the 2017 season, looking to get his pro career started.

“I didn’t have anything right then and I wasn’t going to wait,” Moncrief recalled. “I’m all about opportunity. I saw the opportunity, I took it, I bet on myself, (I) did my three years and I’m here now — where I belong.”

Moncrief played in six games as a CFL rookie, recording 15 tackles, a special-teams tackle and an interception. In 2018, the 6-foot-2, 220-pounder had 42 tackles, a special-teams stop and a pick in 12 games.

He blossomed into a star in 2019, amassing 69 tackles, four special-teams tackles, four sacks, three interceptions and a forced fumble. He was named to the West Division and CFL all-star teams.

Now, he’s preparing to leave the only pro league in which he has played — and the only home he has known as a pro.

“It’ll be in my heart forever — Saskatchewan, the fans, the city, the football, the love they show to the players,” Moncrief said. “I’m humbled and lost for words because that’s a special place for me and my family.”

A product of the Oklahoma State University Cowboys, Moncrief earned a lot of air miles while trying out for a variety of NFL teams. As he put it: “I’ve been some of everywhere.”

“It was a grind in December,” he admitted. “But that’s what I prayed for and that’s what I prepared myself for, to be able to put myself in front of those teams and showcase what I could do along with my game film.”

He looked at a variety of factors when it came time to decide on a team to join, including the team’s needs at linebacker, its defensive scheme and its feel. The Raiders ticked all the boxes for Moncrief.

“I can play in any scheme, but you get in some schemes where you can really thrive, make plays and see how the defence operates,” he said. “It was a great opportunity for me.”

He leaves Saskatchewan for the NFL one season after his former roommate did the same thing.

Linebacker Sam Eguavoen turned his time with the Roughriders into a contract with the Miami Dolphins last off-season. Eguavoen had 22 unassisted tackles, 20 assists and 3.5 sacks in 16 games as an NFL rookie in 2019.

He also gave Moncrief as much advice as he could.

“I talked to him at least once a week throughout the year,” Moncrief said. “He told me the ups and downs, how to adjust to the game (and) what’s expected.

“Everybody goes through their different experiences, so our experiences won’t be the same, but it’s always good to learn from a guy like that, (a man) I call my brother.”

Moncrief admitted it’s going to be “crazy” to take the field in the NFL and face players he has been watching on TV for years.

Unfortunately, he’ll have to wait to do so. He still has to go through off-season workouts and training camp before he’ll even get a chance to face Tom Brady or Aaron Rodgers.

But Moncrief said he can wait.

“I’ve been focused ever since I was five, six years old, on this moment,” he said. “I’ve been preparing myself … It’s the same league (and) the same football, just a different location. I’m ready for the opportunity to be one of the greatest of all time.”