The Las Vegas Raiders defense got a facelift this offseason, but it is a returning edge rusher that will prove to be the x-factor in 2020.
When the then-Oakland Raiders selected Clemson star Clelin Ferrell with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, it came as quite a shock. Many felt that Kentucky’s Josh Allen was the No. 2 edge rusher in the draft class behind Ohio State’s Nick Bosa, who ended up going to the San Francisco 49ers at pick No. 2 overall.
As a rookie, Ferrell had to deal with some issues outside of his control early, as he battled through a sickness, and then was played outside of his natural position. However, by the end of the season, he was playing his best football, and the expectation is that he is going to make a big jump in terms of production in Year.
This offseason, the Raiders did a nice job building up the defensive line, adding edge rusher Carl Nassib and defensive tackle Maliek Collins to a unit that took a nice step forward in 2019. Maurice Hurst and P.J. Hall are entering Year 3, and Johnathan Hankins returns, while the team is also banking on Arden Key coming back healthy in 2020.
Overall, this is a solid group that includes Maxx Crosby, who racked up double-digit sacks as a rookie last season. Crosby went from being a fourth round pick to challenging for the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year honor, and entering Year 2, like Ferrell, he is going to be expected to continue to grow as a player.