Oakland’s pass rush is much improved from one season ago, but they’ve still experienced games where it’s nowhere to be found. I wouldn’t consider an edge rusher the Raiders biggest need of the draft, but definitely a position I’d expect them to look towards at some point.
Khalid Kareem displays a combination of a playmaking edge defender who plays a large part in both the run and the passing game. He’s a true 4-3 defensive end who uses his large body to his advantage, but sometimes has issues when overcommitting to the run. He has decent speed for such a big frame, but could use a better get-off in order to record more sacks.
As a two-year starter, Kareem does a quality job of racking up tackles when stopping the run, as he totaled 42 last season, with 10.5 TFL’s. In 2019, he finished his college season with 45 tackles, 10 TFL’s and 5.5 sacks.
Pros:
- Size/ length
- Run stuffer
- Fits a 4-3 defensive end
Cons:
- Overcommit to run
- Counter moves on pass rushing downs
- Speed