2018 Oakland Raiders Training Camp: From A-Z
By Brad Weiss
Bolstered Defensive Line
The Raiders needed to do something about their defensive line this offseason, as it was viewed as one of the biggest weaknesses on the roster. Last season, the Raiders were poor against the rush, and getting push up front on defense, so it would make sense that this would be a priority this offseason.
First, the Raiders re-signed Justin Ellis, inking him to a three-year extension. Then, the team drafted two defensive tackles in the 2018 NFL Draft, including one in the second round, as they nabbed P.J. Hall from Sam Houston State. In the fifth round, they may have got the steal of the draft, as the drafted Maurice Hurst from Michigan.
Prior to a heart issue being detected at the NFL Scouting Combine, Hurst was viewed as a first round talent. After the heart issue, which was cleared by Harvard and Michigan, teams were afraid to go after him, but the Raiders did their homework, and traded up to get him in round five.
With the interior of the line upgraded, the Raiders also made the decision to move Bruce Irvin to the defensive end position in a full-time role. With Irvin and Mack on the edges of Paul Guenther’s 4-3 defense, the Raiders are going to be much better up front on defense in 2018.