Las Vegas Raiders: Maxx Crosby will only get better alongside Yannick Ngakoue
By Brad Weiss
The Las Vegas Raiders made a big splash by adding Yannick Ngakoue via free agency, and he is going to help Maxx Crosby continue to improve.
During the first wave of free agency, the Las Vegas Raiders fixed a major issue on the defensive side of the ball by adding a quality edge rusher. Yannick Ngakoue was a guy who was on the Raiders’ radar for quite some time and adding him to the defensive line is going to do wonders for Gus Bradley and this defense.
Last season, the Raiders had no issues putting up points, but the problem was the fact that they could not stop other teams from doing the same. With Ngakoue up front along the defensive line, the Raiders now have two proven players in terms of getting after the quarterback, as his arrival is only going to help Maxx Crosby in his development.
During the 2020 campaign, the Las Vegas Raiders as a team only had 21 sacks, with a third of them coming from Crosby. The addition of Ngakoue is going to force teams to keep an eye on both edges for once, as Clelin Ferrell has yet to show he can sack the quarterback at the NFL level so far in his short career.
Raiders could double their sack output in 2021
Based on the talent the Raiders have brought in, including multiple defensive tackles, and Ngakoue, Las Vegas could be in line to double their sack output from a year ago. Last season, teams were able to key on Crosby, double-teaming him and rendering him useless at times, but that won’t be the case with Ngakoue on the other side.
In fact, both players could be in line for double-digit sack seasons, especially if Las Vegas can get better in the secondary, forcing quarterbacks to hold onto the ball longer.
Next. Las Vegas Raiders: Who will be Derek Carr’s favorite WR target in 2021?. dark
Overall, Bradley is taking over a defense with more talent than a year ago, and his arrival should help in the improvement of Cory Littleton at linebacker as well. They have a lot of work to do in terms of the secondary, but if they can add a few pieces on that level, this is a unit that could be much improved when all is said and done.