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Las Vegas Raiders: 2021 53-man roster prediction after preseason Game No. 1

By Connor Kurpat

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - AUGUST 14: Cornerback Nate Hobbs #39, defensive back Johnathan Abram #24, and cornerback Amik Robertson #21 of the Las Vegas Raiders react after a sack against the Seattle Seahawks during a preseason game at Allegiant Stadium on August 14, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - AUGUST 14: Cornerback Nate Hobbs #39, defensive back Johnathan Abram #24, and cornerback Amik Robertson #21 of the Las Vegas Raiders react after a sack against the Seattle Seahawks during a preseason game at Allegiant Stadium on August 14, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images) /
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Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins (90) recovers a fumble by New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold (not pictured) in the first half of a game at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in East Rutherford.Nyj Vs Lv
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins (90) recovers a fumble by New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold (not pictured) in the first half of a game at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in East Rutherford.Nyj Vs Lv /

Las Vegas Raiders: 2021 53-man roster prediction after preseason Game No. 1

Defensive Tackle (5): Johnathan Hankins, Quinton Jefferson, Solomon Thomas, Gerald McCoy, Darius Philon

Against Seattle, Las Vegas fans witnessed something they haven’t seen in a very, very long time. What is that, exactly? That would be a half-decent interior pass rush. Darius Philon in particular was the standout from Saturday’s matchup against Seattle.

He was extremely disruptive up front, carving through the offensive line to get to the quarterback. He even played a part in Nate Hobbs’ incredible sack. If he can replicate that performance in every game he plays, then Las Vegas will have a seriously good player on their hands.

Jefferson and Thomas also got some playing time, but their performances weren’t as impressive as Philon’s. Keep an eye on how those two play the rest of the preseason. How they produce will determine how the interior of the defensive line is set up once the season kickoffs in September.

Las Vegas also added veteran tackle Gerald McCoy, but it’s unknown how he’ll fit into the team. It seems that Las Vegas may think that Thomas is too small to be a serious interior threat. If that’s the case, then McCoy will probably be on the roster for the regular season to play in situations that require a big-bodied defensive lineman.

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