Las Vegas Raiders: 3 potential Defensive Coordinator targets

Jonathan Gannon would be another solid find for this Raiders defense

The Colts have a team where the secondary is young, just like the Raiders, but they’re coached very well. Jonathan Gannon has been instrumental in the turnaround of the Colts organization. In 2017, the Colts were dead last in three defensive categories, and in 2018, they turned that around and became top-10 in every category.

During 2020, the secondary has stood out as one of the best in the NFL. Subtracting Xavier Rhodes, the average age of the Colts secondary players is 22, yet the passing game is ranked No. 6 in the NFL.

What makes the Colts so dynamic is their ability to pull the safeties from the secondary and tackle well. Gannon has helped three young players have career years and one is a rookie. Safety Julian Blackmon has five game-winning plays in their nine wins and is playing lights out right now. Safety Khari Willis hasn’t missed a single tackle on the year and has three interceptions for touchdowns.

Corner Kenny Moore II had that incredible interception on Darren Waller two weeks ago and has five others on the year. Rhodes is having a career resurgence after having a hard season last year in Minnesota.

Gannon has coached players like Charles Woodson in Green Bay, Xavier Rhodes in Indy and Minnesota, and Harrison Smith. He’s also part of a team in 2003 that finished top-5 in rushing and passing defense and has overseen Smith over his three best seasons.

Again, the emphasis is secondary since they are young and hungry, and Gannon is a perfect match since he’s worked with young players and has gotten elite play out of them.