Las Vegas Raiders 2020 pre-draft position overview: Defensive Tackle
By BD Williams
New Additions
The 2019 rotation of defensive tackles was just that, a rotation of men who either were strong against the run or the pass. The Raiders didn’t have a defensive tackle who could make an impact on 3 downs. Enter Maliek Collins, the Raiders priority free agent acquisition rejoins new defensive line coach Rod Marinelli, both coming over from the Dallas Cowboys.
Collins may not be a household name. And while not on the same tier as All-Pro defensive tackles like Aaron Donald, Fletcher Cox, or Chris Jones, he is solidly a tier below those players because of his ability to stop the run, draw double teams, and rush the passer.
The big fella adds a much needed dynamic to the Raiders defensive line rotation as an all-around defender who is just as good or better in all phases of the game as the rest of the defensive tackles combined.
Also joining the Raiders from Dallas is a defensive tackle named Daniel Ross. Ross is a hulking 6’4 300+ pound interior defender who figures to push PJ Hall for the 4th defensive tackle position on the roster. Its possible that the Raiders go into the season with only 4 defensive tackles and the camp battle between Ross and Hall will be an interesting one to monitor.