2021 NFL Draft: Joseph Ossai checks a lot of boxes for the Raiders

It is no secret that the Las Vegas Raiders were one of the NFL’s worst defenses when applying pressure on opposing quarterbacks during the 2020 regular season. The unit mustered an uninspiring 21 sacks, and second-year defensive end Maxx Crosby accounted for 1/3 (7) of them.

While Crosby is a talented edge rusher, the Raiders must relieve him of facing an illegal amount of attention on gamedays.

Subsequently, there is a prospect from the University of Texas that can assist Maxx and others along the defensive front in the 2021 NFL Draft. Texas’ Joseph Ossai fills both a need and is one of the best defensive talents in the entire draft class, and should be firmly on Mike Mayock’s list of targets for the upcoming draft.

What would Ossai bring to the Raiders?

Texas’ Joseph Ossai is one of the top edge defenders in April’s upcoming NFL draft. What makes him unique is his ability to play as a 5, 6, 7, and 9 technique along the defensive line. Also, Ossai can play out of both the two (standing) and three-point (hand in dirt) stance along the edge.

This type of versatility is what the new Raiders defensive coordinator, Gus Bradley, covets. More than likely, Bradley will be implementing a scheme that will contain both even and odd fronts which will require rushers that can consistently win their individual matchups.

"“Bradley’s defenses traditionally line up in a 4-3 alignment, but if you look closely after some movement you will occasionally see a 3-4. He’ll even use a five-man front,” Derrick Brooks said. “He’s been able to really teach and mold his defenses around the talent that’s been available to him. People who say he’s a traditional 4-3 coach should look a little closer. It’s been a mixture of everything.” – The Athletic"

In a similar vein last season, Gus’ defensive unit with the Los Angeles Chargers blitzed the least amount of times in the NFL (98). With that being said,  Ossai was one of college football’s best at generating pressure in pass-rush scenarios in 2020.

In addition to his impressive pass-rush arsenal, the former Texas Longhorn is relentless when it comes to run defense as well. While Ossai is relatively raw in some technical aspects at the position the new defensive coordinator in Las Vegas knows how to maximize the strengths of his players on defense. Look for the Silver and Black to potentially target Texas’ unrelenting edge defender with a nonstop motor in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft.