Raiders Defense Features 3 Stars Playing at the Highest Levels of Their Careers

It’s been a full generation since the Raiders last fielded a respectable defense. This year, it looks like the trend may finally be coming to an end.

Defensive coordinator Gus Bradley has brought an effective scheme and discipline to the Raiders in 2021, but he has also jumpstarted the careers of a few defensive players that were under the radar coming into the season.

Denzel Perryman

The Panthers paid Perryman and then decided they didn’t want him. In late August, the Raiders gave the Panthers a sixth-round pick in exchange for Perryman and a seventh-round pick.

Perryman currently leads the league in tackles (72, tied with Bobby Wagner) and is the fifth-ranked linebacker in the NFL, according to Pro Football Focus, among linebackers with at least 100 snaps.

Maxx Crosby

Crosby produced 10 sacks in his rookie season and would have been the NFL’s defensive rookie of the year if not for Nick Bosa (who had 9 sacks that year). Last year, Crosby played through injures and saw his sack total drop to 7. This year, Crosby has added more strength and seems to be in the best shape of his life — both physically and mentally.

No defensive player in the league is playing at a higher level than Crosby.

Austin Gayle on Twitter: “Maxx Crosby leads the NFL in @PFF pass-rush win rate (28%) and total pressures (43) – really exploded with added weight/strength. / Twitter”

Maxx Crosby leads the NFL in @PFF pass-rush win rate (28%) and total pressures (43) – really exploded with added weight/strength.

Crosby is Pro Football Focus’ top-graded edge rusher in the NFL, but he is not the only Raiders’ defensive player with a league-leading PFF grade…

Casey Hayward Jr.

Not many were paying attention when the Raiders signed Hawyard almost two months after the opening of free agency. With Damon Arnette rumored to be having a strong offseason, some believed Hayward was simply an insurance signing.

As it turns out, by adding Hayward the Raiders were getting PFF’s top cornerback in the league through the first six weeks. Hayward has been the cornerback the Raiders have been missing (and trying desperately to find) for more than a decade and he’s playing the best football of his career at the ripe young age of 32.

Johnathan Abram (honorable mention)

Don’t look now, but Abram is turning in the best year of his brief NFL career. Abram has a new role in Bradley’s defense and he is playing more disciplined than at any point in his career.

Abram has a PFF grade of 65.0 through the first six games of 2021, which might not seem overly impressive until you look at the grade he received in 2020 (35.9). Remember, Abram missed almost all of his rookie year with a shoulder injury, so in terms of experience on the field, he’s really only in his second NFL season.

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