The Oakland Raiders were historically bad at getting after the quarterback last season, but have they done enough this offseason to address that?
The Oakland Raiders managed to get to the quarterback only 13 times as a team last season, led by rookie defensive tackle Maurice Hurst. That cannot be the case in 2019, as that number was so low that if they doubled it, they would still have finished last in the NFL in sacks.
Prior to the 2018 NFL season, Oakland traded away a generational edge rusher in Khalil Mack, who went on to have a Pro Bowl season with the Chicago Bears, leading them to the playoffs. Mack’s No. 2, Bruce Irvin, was supposed to step up in his absence, but he had the worst season he ever put together wearing the Silver and Black, and was eventually released.
During the 2019 offseason, the Raiders did a nice job addressing needs on both sides of the ball via trades and free agency, but only touched on the defensive end position. They brought in guys like Josh Mauro, Alex Barnett, and Benson Mayowa, three players who do not really jump off the page in terms of production.
However, Oakland certainly addressed this need during the 2019 NFL Draft, utilizing their No. 4 overall pick on Clemson star edge rusher Clelin Ferrell. An absolute beast during his time with the Tigers, Ferrell is a guy who fits the Raiders defensive scheme perfectly, and will be expected to play a huge role in this defense in 2019.
In the fourth round, Oakland went back to the defensive end well, adding Eastern Michigan’s Maxx Crosby, who is a tenacious edge rusher. With their final pick of the draft, the Raiders added former wide receiver turned edge rusher Quinton Bell, the nephew of former Raiders running back Nick Bell.
Those new players will be added to a group that includes 2018 third rounder Arden Key, who should be much better in year No. 2. In addition, Oakland has gotten better at linebacker and in the defensive backfield this offseason, which should help give the edge rushers time to get after the quarterback.
With better players around them, and solid young defensive tackles entering year two, this is a position that should be much better in 2019. They will have to be, as the team takes on Patrick Mahomes and Philip Rivers twice next season, as well as guys like Andrew Luck, Aaron Rodgers, and Deshaun Watson.
Of course, only time will tell how this unit gels, but the team has a great defensive line coach in Brentson Buckner, who will get the most out of this collection of players. This is a very talented group of young men, and it will be interesting to see how it all comes together this summer.