Las Vegas Raiders: 2021 Post-draft 53 man roster prediction

Las Vegas Raiders: 2021 Post-draft 53 man roster prediction

Defensive Ends: Maxx Crosby, Yannick Ngakoue, Clelin Ferrell, Malcolm Koonce, Carl Nassib

The Raiders finally got their elite pass rusher when they signed Yannick Ngakoue to a two-year deal this offseason and they have high hopes that he will help address their pass-rushing woes. Ngakoue will most certainly be the starting RDE which has raised questions about Clelin Ferrell’s role and if he will shift inside to DT.

Regardless of where he lines up, we expect Ferrell to be on the roster as he enters year three of his NFL career that has been solid but has not lived up to the hype of being a top-five selection. Ferrell had some big moments last season particularly against Kansas City and New York but we need to see that level of play more often.

Maxx Crosby is another obvious candidate to make the final roster as the starting LDE but we could see his snaps reduced in an attempt to keep him fresh on obvious passing downs. Crosby has struggled with all of the extra attention offenses are giving him so the addition of Ngakoue and other talented players on the d-line should help him tremendously.

Rounding out the group is rookie Malcolm Koonce and Carl Nassib who the Raiders reportedly tried to trade during the draft but can still be a solid player coming off the bench. Analysts were split on the Koonce selection in the third round but he was a productive pass rusher in college and can become part of the rotation as a rusher on obvious passing downs.

Kendal Vickers, Matt Dickerson, and Gerri Green are on the outside looking in with Vickers having the best chance to make the roster in 2021. He had a solid season in limited snaps and is a much cheaper option than Carl Nassib as the fourth or fifth defensive end.