Las Vegas Raiders: Updated 2021 53-man roster projection heading into the summer

By Brad Weiss | Jun 6, 2021

Nov 15, 2020; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders coach Jon Gruden (left) and general manager Mike Mayock walk off the field after the game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium. The Raiders defeated the Broncos 37-12. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

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Maxx Crosby. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /

Las Vegas Raiders: Updated 2021 53-man roster projection heading into the summer

Defensive End (5): Maxx Crosby, Malcolm Koonce, Clelin Ferrell, Yannick Ngakoue, Carl Nassib

During the 2020 NFL season, the Raiders managed to get to the quarterback only 21 times, one of the worst marks as a team in the who league. Second-year edge rusher Maxx Crosby was able to notch seven of those sacks himself, but outside of him, the pass rush was pretty much non-existent.

Fast forward to this season, and this is an area where I feel the Raiders should be able to improve significantly. In free agency, the Silver and Black added Yannick Ngakoue, a player who has shown he can dominate off the edge during his career, while also drafting an exciting talent in Malcolm Koonce from Buffalo.

While nobody is saying that Koonce will be the next Khalil Mack, who also played for the Buffs, he has the size and athleticism to cause some havoc as a rookie. Ferrell returns for Year 3, and he will be used on the outside, as well as inside at times, while Carl Nassib should be used only in situational moments despite his large contract.

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