Oakland Raiders: Updated starters after 2019 NFL Draft
By Brad Weiss
Defense
The Raiders knew they had to do something to improve this defense during the 2019 offseason, especially when it came to getting after the quarterback. Last year, the team mustered only 13 sacks as a unit, and were led in that department by a rookie defensive tackle in Maurice Hurst.
Of course, the Raiders lost Khalil Mack to a trade right before the season, and Bruce Irvin, who was supposed to step up in Mack’s absence, was non-existent before being released. New general manager Mike Mayock went out of his way to address the defensive end position in the 2019 NFL Draft, and he got some good talent for sure.
Here is what the starting defense could look like for the opener against Joe Flacco and the Denver Broncos.
- DE- Clelin Ferrell (R)
- DT- Maurice Hurst
- DT- Justin Ellis
- DE- Arden Key
- SLB- Tahir Whitehead
- MLB- Brandon Marshall
- WLB- Vontaze Burfict
- CB- Gareon Conley
- CB- Trayvon Mullen (R)
- NB- Lamarcus Joyner
- S- Johnathan Abram
- S- Karl Joseph
Oakland added some quality veterans to the linebacker group this offseason, a year removed from adding a stellar linebacker in Tahir Whitehead to the roster. The trio of Whitehead, Brandon Marshall, and Vontaze Burfict should go into the first workouts as the presumptive starters, but there are some young guys pushing in a now very deep position group.
This secondary should be exciting to watch this summer as well, as there are going to be plenty of people jockeying for a starting job. At cornerback, rookie Trayvon Mullen will get the chance to play right away, but the Raiders drafted a fine corner in the fourth round as well, bringing in Isaiah Johnson. In addition, Daryl Worley played very well last year, and is back for a second season in Oakland.