Las Vegas Raiders: 5 musts for the defense to succeed in 2021
By Brad Weiss
Las Vegas Raiders: 5 musts for the defense to succeed in 2021
New DTs must be dominant inside
One of the bigger changes on the defensive side of the ball this offseason has come at defensive tackle, where the Raiders will be welcoming in plenty of new faces. The franchise surprisingly released Maurice Hurst this offseason, clearing a path for a starting job alongside Johnathan Hankins, and there are more than a few options on this roster.
Recently, the Raiders added another player to the mix in Gerald McCoy, who has been to six Pro Bowls and looks to be in great shape. Guys like Solomon Thomas and Quinton Jefferson were also added via free agency, and youngster Darius Stills could end up being a steal after being signed as an undrafted free agent.
Overall, there is a lot of talent at the position group, but also a lot of talent that still needs to prove they can be consistent players at the NFL level. This is a group that needs to get a good push if Gus Bradley’s defense is going to work, and early returns show that they may have the perfect blend of skill sets at defensive tackle this summer.