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Las Vegas Raiders: Why these 4 big contracts need to be great in 2021

By Alex Perl

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) /
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Raiders got Ngakoue
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 16: Yannick Ngakoue #91 of the Baltimore Ravens runs on the field before an AFC Divisional Playoff game against the Buffalo Bills at Bills Stadium on January 16, 2021, in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Bryan Bennett/Getty Images) /

Las Vegas Raiders: Why these 4 big contracts need to be great in 2021

Yannick Ngakoue, Edge

No big surprise here, as the Raiders signed Yannick Ngakoue to a big-time contract to have him come and help with the pass rush. Last season, Las Vegas was able to must up only 21 sacks as a team, and you have to think that now that Ngakoue is aboard, the team is going to be much better in this department.

Since joining the Raiders, Ngakoue has been bullish about what this team could do with him and Maxx Crosby leading the way in terms of the pass rush. Ngakoue is a proven player when it comes to getting after the quarterback, and the Raiders are paying him to do just that, rack up quarterback sacks.

In addition, now that the Raiders have a proven player like Ngakoue on the other side of the Crosby, it should free the third-year player up for more opportunities in the pass rush. He was able to notch seven in a season where he played hurt for the most part, but having Ngakoue is going to possibly double that number in Year 3.

Overall, if Ngakoue plays up to his contract, the Raiders are going to be solid on the edge, especially if Clelin Ferrell continues to move in the right direction, Carl Nassib is better in Year 2, and Malcolm Koonce is what the team hopes he is.

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