Las Vegas Raiders: 2018 picks we wish would have worked out better
By Brad Weiss
Las Vegas Raiders: 2018 picks we wish would have worked out better
Arden Key, Edge Rusher
When the Raiders selected Arden Key out of LSU in the third round, it was certainly viewed as a monster steal on draft night. Key was a guy who many felt had the talent to be a first-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, but issues caused him to fall, and the Raiders were waiting with open arms.
Possessing the kind of edge-rushing talent the Raiders needed, and viewed as a solid depth guy behind the likes of Khalil Mack and Bruce Irvin, Key appeared to be in a perfect spot with Oakland. However, Mack would end up being traded a few months later, and Irvin was terrible in 2018, forcing Key to step up and actually start ten games as a rookie.
Key would play in all 16 games during his first season with the team, but would muster only one sack, and seemed to be just a step away on so many occasions. In 2019, a broken foot ended his season early, and he battled inconsistent play, as well as COVID during the 2020 campaign.
With the rise of Maxx Crosby, the development of Clelin Ferrell, and the free agency addition of Yannick Ngakoue, the Raiders parted ways with Key this offseason. He will look to latch on in San Francisco, and hopefully reach his potential back in the Bay Area.