Arden Key v.s Maxx Crosby (DE)
It’s no secret, the Raiders must improve their pass rush in order to take a step forward in 2019. They finished last season dead least in sacks with 13 on the year. In fact, six players across the NFL registered more sacks last season than the Raiders did as a whole.
In the first offseason of the Gruden and Mike Mayock era, they were one of the most aggressive teams via free-agency. However, they struck out in the act of signing a high-profiled edge rusher. They turned their attention to the draft where they selected three defensive ends (Clelin Ferrell, Maxx Crosby, and Quinton Bell) who the Raiders hope can bring a spark to the defensive line.
You can already pencil in Ferrell at one of the two spots at defensive end. There’s no way he doesn’t start after being selected No.4 overall. By doing so, it leaves the edge opposite of Ferrell up for grabs. That position vacancy will come down to Arden Key or fourth-round pick, Maxx Crosby.
Key and Crosby will battle it out during training camp and the preseason games in the effort to earn the starting nod. Both are still young defenders looking to maximize their potential under Paul Guenther’s defensive system.
Key was very much a disappointment by many’s expectations, but he does have potential to develop in the near future as a third down pass rusher. He only recorded one sack last season, meanwhile there were several instances where he failed to bring down the quarterback after getting his hands on the signal caller. This offseason, Key stated that he added weight, as he hopes that will be the difference maker of accumulating more sacks.
Crosby is still very much of an unknown, as what he does in training camp and the preseason will be a large reflection of what kind of role Guenther places him in. He’s a much different pass rusher than Key, as Crosby used his strength a lot in college in order to win the battle in the trenches.
The battle between Key and Crosby is something to watch for in training camp, as defensive end is their biggest position that they must improve in.