Las Vegas Raiders: 3 veteran newcomers who could be cut before Week 1

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - SEPTEMBER 29: An Oakland Raiders helmet on the field before the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 29, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - SEPTEMBER 29: An Oakland Raiders helmet on the field before the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 29, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 4
Next
Raiders
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – JANUARY 13: Darius Philon #93 of the Los Angeles Chargers looks on before the AFC Divisional Playoff Game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on January 13, 2019, in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Las Vegas Raiders: 3 veteran newcomers who could be cut before Week 1

Darius Philon, DT

It has been a complete redo up front along the defensive line, as the Raiders brought in the likes of Quinton Jefferson, Solomon Thomas, and Darius Philon to battle for defensive tackle spots. Last season, the Raiders struggled to get any kind of push up front, and that led to the team racking up only 21 sacks as a team.

With Johnathan Hankins returning, and Jefferson and Thomas likely to make the team, the real question is whether or not Philon can beat out Scott Niles, Kendal Vickers, and undrafted free agent Darius Stills. Vickers has looked like a monster this offseason, and Stills appears to be a steal, so this is a position group to keep an eye on.

Recently, we wrote about some departures the Raiders could miss this upcoming season, and former draft pick Maurice Hurst was one of them. Las Vegas must be better upfront along the defensive line in 2021, and with so many new faces, Philon will have to really stand out to make the Week 1 roster.