Oakland Raiders: 4 players who must be better in 2019

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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) /

Arden Key

In the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft, the Oakland Raiders selected Arden Key out of LSU, and they drafted him with a specific role in mind. At the time Key was drafted, the roster had two elite veterans at his position in Khalil Mack and Bruce Irvin, so the rookie would only have to be used in passing situations.

However, Mack was traded before the season started, and before you knew it, Irvin was playing his way out of the Silver and Black. That meant that Key would be moved into a starting role, and while he flashes some signs as a rookie, he is going to have to be much better in 2019.

Luckily, new defensive line coach Brentson Buckner is one of the best in the business, and he sees some great things in Key. Key’s role next season will likely be in that situational role, and you can bet on him getting to the quarterback at least eight times. If Key is more productive in year two, this defensive line is going to be something special.

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