Should the Las Vegas Raiders still be in the market for an edge rusher?
By Brad Weiss
The Las Vegas Raiders have a solid group at the defensive end position heading into 2020, so why are they still in discussions for some big names at the position?
The 2018 Raiders team managed to get to the quarterback only 13 times, so it was no big surprise when Mike Mayock selected an edge rusher with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. The big surprise was that it was Clelin Ferrell and not Josh Allen, who was widely considered the No. 2 edge rusher behind Nick Bosa in that draft class.
The 2019 season saw the Raiders more than double their sack total, but there is still work to be done. This offseason, they have added to the group by bringing in Carl Nassib, who is good for around six sacks per season. In addition, they are getting a healthy Arden Key back, and he has looked solid during camp so far.
The Raiders already have a solid foursome at the edge rusher position, so should they really still be in the market for Yannick Ngakoue and Jadeveon Clowney?
Maxx and Clelin bulked up this offseason
The two 2019 draft picks at defensive end have had a solid offseason, and it started long before they landed in Vegas for training camp. Clelin Ferrell and Maxx Crosby both bulked up to around 275 pounds this offseason, making them a dangerous duo coming off the edge for the Raiders in 2020.
Crosby is fresh off a double-digit sack campaign, and while Ferrell had his issues early on, he finished his rookie campaign strongly. He is going to be expected to play outside, and on the inside this offseason, but he put on the necessary weight to be able to dominate in both roles in Year No. 2.