When the Raiders signed Maliek Collins in March, it was touted as one of their best moves of the offseason. Jon Gruden praised the signing, even calling Collins the “key” to the Raider defense.
That was a strong statement from Gruden, but though 11 games this year he couldn’t have been more wrong.
Collins is currently ranked as the NFL’s lowest-graded defensive tackle, according to Pro Football Focus analytics. After recording 14.5 sacks over a four-year span in Dallas, Collins has none with the Raiders and is barely noticeable along the Raiders defensive line. He is rated dead-last in the league as a run defender when just a season ago Collins led all defensive tackles in pass rush wins against double teams (31). Yes, he even outperformed perennial All-Pro Aaron Donald (30) in that category, according to ESPN Stats & Information.
Fortunately for the Raiders, they only signed Collins to a one-year deal. His $6.25 million contract will expire after the season and unless something changes in a hurry, the chances of Collins returning next year are slim to none.
As for the rest of the Raiders defensive line, the group second to last in the league in sacks (12) behind only the Jaguars. Six of their 12 sacks have come from Maxx Crosby, who could join Aaron Donald (2018), JJ Watt (2014), and Aldon Smith (2012) as the only players since 2000 to record at least half of their team’s sacks.
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I don’t know why Collins is still here and getting all that playing time. Hurst should be the starter. He should be that pass rushing 3 tech that the team so desperately needs. Cut Collins now and use Hurst and Irving as the 3 tech rotation.
Something needs to change in FA contracts to protect teams from this to release them from contract for not delivering the performance paid for
Sit him if he is not productive we are fighting for are playoff chances im sorry raiders deserve play makers
Is it to early to start considering players that could possibly help the Raiders, next year? After this season, there will be some free agents available that I believe could “fix” quite a few of the “problems” that the Las Vegas Raiders have had in the 2020 season. Below is a list of some of the players that I believe that Mike Mayock and Jon Gruden should consider.
Defense
Jalen Ramsey – CB
Shaquil Barrett – OLB
Yannick Ngakoue – DE
Matt Milano – LB
Patrick Peterson – CB
Bud Dupree – OLB
Karl Joseph – SS
Offense
Aaron Rodgers – QB
Anthony Gordon – QB
Hunter Henry – TE
Dalvin Cook – RB
Joe Mixon – RB
Ronnie Stanley – OT
Larry Warford – OG