The Raiders (once again) finished toward the bottom in defensive sacks and/or pressure (production) rankings for 2019. This is a position the team should continue to address in the premium rounds until that number changes significantly. Today, we’re looking at building from the inside out. Helping free up whatever limited pressure this current roster offers off the edge is going to be key going forward.
Mo Hurst is still a work in progress, and there’s some “decent” depth behind him in P.J. Hall and Johnathan Hankins. Neither are names to get too excited about. One name to maybe perk up about, however, is free agent signing Maliek Collins. The former Cowboy is young, and immediately jumps on this roster as both an effective and ascending talent.
But, more help is needed. The draft might be the answer. Here’s how things settled for me along the defensive line:
Javon Kinlaw claims the top spot. I don’t think it’s a “hot take” at this point to suggest that he’s better than the Auburn player, or that Kinlaw has the most upside of any linemen in the draft (despite having some frustrating, inconsistent tape at times). He’s a force inside and can even kick outside; his versatility and ability to disrupt all across the front is obviously a huge plus. Can he develop into a Chris Jones-type player?
I believe there’s an argument for Ross Blacklock over Derrick Brown, but I let the rankings fall like this to avoid too many arguments otherwise. It’s close enough at the end of the day. Blacklock’s a plus-athlete for his size, and while I’m unsure what he offers in the way of consistent run support, his ability as a pass rusher is what we’re after anyway. Achilles injury cost him the 2018 season.
James Lynch feels like the quintessential “Gruden Grinder”. Pairing him with someone like Maxx Crosby off the edge might be too much #grit for one team, I dunno. In all seriousness, and in typical Grinder-fashion, Lynch is a high-motor guy, and he stuffed the stat sheet as a result. From his bio, courtesy of NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein: “Lynch was named first-team Associated Press All-American and Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year for his play as a junior. He led the Bears with 19.5 tackles for loss and 13.5 sacks, both numbers ranking in the top 10 nationally, while also breaking up five passes, causing three fumbles and blocking two kicks in 14 starts.”
Las Vegas Raiders great offseason moves.
Pro Football Reference’s “indexed” statistics, which account and adjust for different eras of the game, rated Nathan Peterman dead last among all QBs since 1970 in passer rating, yards per attempt, interception percentage, and numerous other passing statistics.