On Wednesday, the Raiders signed arguably the best defensive lineman on the open market.
The $110 million deal the Raiders gave to defensive tackle Christian Wilkins was the most lucrative free agent deal the team has ever handed out, and it sounds like the team’s new interior lineman is about to join one of the most motivated position groups in the NFL.
According to Maxx Crosby, the Raiders’ defensive line has been all-in since the end of the regular season and nearly the entire group has bought in to the offseason workouts at the facility.
“We have almost 10 [defensive] linemen in the building already,” Crosby said on The NFL Report. “We’ve been training for over a month now together and getting after it, so we’re focused on being the best in the world.”
For what it’s worth, Crosby gave an update on his knee and hand injuries, and it sounds like he is going to be 100 percent by next year.
“I’m doing incredible,” Crosby said. “I started January 22nd, the earliest I’ve ever been in the building in an offseason.”
“I’m already back boxing,” he continued. “I’m able to throw this right hand in my training, as well. My knee is feeling incredible. I’m able to run on the treadmill, run in the pool, and I’m flying. My cardio is getting there… I pride myself on being the best in every category and I know I’m getting closer to that every single day… I feel great. My knee is feeling great [and] my hand, as well.”
Earlier this month, Sports Illustrated insider Hondo Carpenter mentioned a few players by name that have impressed in their offseason efforts with the team, and two of the players he mentioned are a part of Crosby’s defensive line group.
Via the Las Vegas Raiders Insider podcast…
“As soon as the season [was] over, Aidan O’Connell was in the building every day. He’s working hard and I’m going to tell you a couple other guys [to] keep an eye on [are] Malcolm Koonce and Tyree Wilson. They’re at a different level. They were really riding a wave of success as the season ended… [and] I’m hearing some great things from the locker room on those guys.”
twitter: @raidersbeat
Hope Byron Young and Nesta Jade seize this opportunity at DT
I am VERY excited about this new look Raiders team! If Tyree and Koonce are in there bulking up and keeping thier speed this defensive line is going to be LIT! And I mean like all time best in NFL history lit.
Lots of folks forget two key things about Tyree Wilson. #1 He recorded exactly the same number of sacks his rookie year that Khalil Mack did his rookie year, while only playing in 1/2 as many games and #2 He was injured all through training camp and most of the season. Had to play his way into game shape.
Not sure if he will be a DT or rotate at DE but I have to believe that he will be a difference maker.
If last years DT draft pick Byron Young and super strong Nesta JAde Silveria get thier collective heads out of his a$$ and and go to work this D could be record setting.
More good players are coming, but Im not worried about our back 7 and the up and coming guys like Paulamau.
We need to package Davante Adams in a deal to trade up in the draft to get a quarterback!
AGREED!!! DA is 31, and it’s not like this team, is ready to “really” compete with the elite teams in the AFC right now, with the QB situation especially, so if the Raiders can get a #1 for DA, and then package two #1’s to move up to get one of the Top-3 QB’s this year, they should do it.