Las Vegas Raiders need more from DE Carl Nassib in 2021

The Las Vegas Raiders cleared some cap room by restructuring Carl Nassib, and now he has to step up as a situational edge rusher in 2021.

The Las Vegas Raiders signed Carl Nassib to a three-year/$25 million deal this past offseason, and the hope was that he could be a missing link within their pass rush. Unfortunately, Nassib did not live up to the contract, and heading into this offseason, it was seen as money the Raiders needed to either restructure or get off the books.

To release Nassib would have cost the Raiders a ton of dead cap money, so instead, they restructured, putting together another solid salary cap move this offseason. By moving his roster bonus into a signing bonus, the team cleared $4.5 million, more money they can use to help in the areas of need this offseason.

With the signing of Yannick Ngakoue, Nassib is going to be a situational piece in 2021, so having that much money invested in him made no sense.

Raiders need more from Nassib in 2021

The Raiders saw Nassib appear in 14 games this past season, but rack up only 2.5 sacks, as the entire team struggled in that department. In fact, Las Vegas was able to get to the quarterback only 21 times, with seven of them coming from Maxx Crosby, so the addition of Ngakoue is going to go a long way in improving a serious area of need.

With Nassib returning, and Clelin Ferrell still on the roster, you have to figure that a move is going to be made in one way or another in terms of Arden Key. This is a guy who was supposed to be a starting edge rusher, and then a situational player, and he really has not worked out in either of those roles.

Even with Ngakoue coming in, the Raiders need more from Nassib, as he has to at least double his sack total from a year ago. It is clear that new defensive coordinator Gus Bradley is going to give him a chance to produce in the Silver and Black after the first season that left a lot to be desired.