2018 Oakland Raiders Training Camp: Five burning questions on defense

Oakland Raiders. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Oakland Raiders. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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STARKVILLE, MS – SEPTEMBER 12: Tashawn Bower #46 of the LSU Tigers celebrates with ArdenKey #49 following a sack during the second quarter of a game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium on September 12, 2015 in Starkville, Mississippi. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
STARKVILLE, MS – SEPTEMBER 12: Tashawn Bower #46 of the LSU Tigers celebrates with ArdenKey #49 following a sack during the second quarter of a game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium on September 12, 2015 in Starkville, Mississippi. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

How will Arden Key be utilized as a rookie?

During the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft, the Oakland Raiders selected LSU edge rusher Arden Key. Seen as an elite physical talent entering the draft, Key slipped a bit due to some issues he had off the field with the Tigers, but the Raiders were quick to pounce with one of their two third round picks.

At LSU, Key was one of the best players in the country in 2016, when he was named a First -Team All-SEC selection. He battled through injuries during the 2017 campaign, but showed enough for scouts to rank him as one of the better edge prospects the 2018 class had to offer.

Key was arguably the most explosive edge rusher in college football during his time at LSU, and he seems to have a bit more focus since entering the league. Irvin and Mack are going to be the starters, but in certain packages, expect Guenther to utilize his incredible skill set.

Next: Raiders projected starters entering training camp

Those are five burning questions for the Raiders defense heading into training camp. While there are certainly more than five, these seem to be at the forefront of the battles that are going to shape this roster heading into Week 1 against the Los Angeles Rams.