The Las Vegas Raiders will open up their 2021 slate against the Baltimore Ravens, which will be a reunion for two of the bigger offseason additions.
The 2021 NFL Draft has come and gone, and the Las Vegas Raiders really made it a point to focus on the defensive side of the ball. The Silver and Black brought in five defensive players with their seven selections, improving on all three levels of the defense.
Prior to the 2021 NFL Draft, the Raiders brought in some quality talent on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball, including a premium edge rusher. Yannick Ngakoue fills a tremendous need for the Raiders, and will hopefully lead to the team improving on their 21 sacks from a year ago.
On offense, Willie Snead was added as a veteran in the wide receiver room, and both Snead and Ngakoue will not have to wait long to face a former employer in 2021.
Raiders showcased on Monday Night Football
According to multiple NFL sources, the Las Vegas Raiders will kick off their 2021 slate against the Baltimore Ravens in a game that will end Week 1. The Raiders and Ravens will battle it out inside Allegiant Stadium on Monday Night Football, the first game that will allow fans inside Las Vegas’ new stadium.
Ngakoue finished out the 2020 season as a member of the Ravens, helping them to the Divisional Round, while Snead has played the last three seasons in Baltimore. Snead racked up over 1,400 yards and nine touchdowns in the Charm City, and will be used as a depth guy for the Raiders in 2021.
Of course, Ngakoue’s role is going to be a monster one in Gus Bradley’s defense, as he will be expected to be the player that has had at least eight sacks in each of his five NFL season. He was a first-round draft pick of Bradley’s back in 2017, and the hope is that his former head coach has something special planned for him this season.
Las Vegas Raiders: Front office addresses defense in 2021 NFL Draft
The Las Vegas Raiders and their front office finally decided to do something about their awful defense by drafting five defensive players, but is it enough?
Of course, getting out to a fast start to the 2021 season is paramount for the Silver and Black, and doing it against a perennial top team in the AFC would be icing on the cake. Hopefully Ngakoue and Snead can make an impact against their former team, sending the Raiders to a 1-0 record in front of a national audience.