Oakland Raiders: Midseason grades for the 2018 rookie class

OAKLAND, CA - AUGUST 24: Arden Key #99 of the Oakland Raiders celebrates after he sacked the quarterback against the Green Bay Packers during the second quarter of an NFL preseason football game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on August 24, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - AUGUST 24: Arden Key #99 of the Oakland Raiders celebrates after he sacked the quarterback against the Green Bay Packers during the second quarter of an NFL preseason football game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on August 24, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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CARSON, CA – OCTOBER 07: Running back Melvin Gordon #28 of the Los Angeles Chargers runs by defensive end Arden Key #99 of the Oakland Raiders in the second quarter at StubHub Center on October 7, 2018 in Carson, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
CARSON, CA – OCTOBER 07: Running back Melvin Gordon #28 of the Los Angeles Chargers runs by defensive end Arden Key #99 of the Oakland Raiders in the second quarter at StubHub Center on October 7, 2018 in Carson, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

Arden Key

The Raiders selected Arden Key in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft, and the thought was he would be able to learn behind two elite pass rushers in Khalil Mack and Bruce Irvin. Well, entering Week 10, both of those veterans are gone, though Key continues to develop as a pass rusher at the next level.

He has had his moments this season, including a stellar effort against the Miami Dolphins in Week 3, where he led the Raiders with an 80.2 rating according to Pro Football Focus. Key registered his first NFL sack against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 6, and the team expects he will eventually be a double-digit sack guy for them.

Key was a great find in the third round, and will be a building block for this team along the defensive line. With the Raiders likely drafting very early in round one in 2019, the feeling is they will add another edge rusher, giving the organization two, young and talented pass rushers for years to come.

Grade: B+