Raiders 53-man roster projection after preseason game No. 3
By Brad Weiss
Defensive Line (9): Bruce Irvin, Khalil Mack, PJ Hall, Arden Key, Maurice Hurst Jr., Justin Ellis, Tank Carradine, Mario Edwards Jr., Shilique Calhoun
The Raiders defensive line has looked very good through the first preseason games, and that is even without Khalil Mack reporting to the team yet. On the edges, Bruce Irvin has become the leader of the defense, and rookie Arden Key has shown he is as explosive as everyone thought.
In addition, Tank Carradine has played well, with Shilique Calhoun looking like a beast under new defensive coordinator Paul Guenther. Rookies PJ Hall and Maurice Hurst Jr. have been dominant in the middle, and they will be joined by Mario Edwards Jr. and Justin Ellis in the middle this season, or at least until Eddie Vanderdoes returns from injury.
Last season, the interior of the defensive line struggled to get push, but that has not been the case this summer. In fact, the team has registered 11 sacks through the first three preseason games, including five Friday night against the Green Bay Packers.