Can Oakland Raiders DE Arden Key keep on the weight this summer

Arden Key came into his rookie season weighing 230 pounds, and adding weight was the biggest goals the Raiders coaching staff had set for him in 2019.

Arden Key fell in the draft due to some character concerns. Although he had first-round potential, he ultimately fell to the Oakland Raiders, who many believe got a steal in the third round in 2018. Key was supposed to be a third-down pass rush specialist his rookie season, however with Khalil Mack traded and Bruce Irvin cut, Key was asked to play much more then he should have.

Although he showed flashes, his weight was a huge issue. He wasn’t big or strong enough to take on double team blocks that are often asked of defensive ends. This season, Key was going to change that.

He came into training camp much stronger. Up to 260 pounds.

The issue wasn’t if he was now strong enough, because visually you could tell he looked much stronger. The issue was if he would hold that weight, and now that camp has started, Key has dropped some weight.

According to Levi Damien, Key has lost 5 pounds since training camp started. Of course, this is 100% expected, since players don’t work out as hard during the season, as they do during the offseason.

If Key is able to hold his weight over 250 pounds, the offseason would be considered a success. Over the next few seasons, him, Maxx Crosby, and Clelin Ferrell should have a good rotation going. But a lot of that will depend on Key’s weight, as those double teams are going to come, and he is going to be relied on to set the edge.

During the 2018, the Oakland Raiders racked up only 13 sacks, and that has been a rallying cry for this defense early on in training camp. There are fresh faces, and added talent on all three levels of this defense, but if the Raiders cannot get a pass rush again this season, it is hard to see them doing anything in a tough AFC West.