Raiders: Grading the defensive position groups entering the 2022 offseason

Jan 9, 2022; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) celebrates after a play against the Los Angeles Chargers during the second half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2022; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) celebrates after a play against the Los Angeles Chargers during the second half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports /
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – SEPTEMBER 26: Tre’von Moehrig #25 of the Las Vegas Raiders celebrates a turn over on downs in the fourth quarter of the game against the Miami Dolphins at Allegiant Stadium on September 26, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – SEPTEMBER 26: Tre’von Moehrig #25 of the Las Vegas Raiders celebrates a turn over on downs in the fourth quarter of the game against the Miami Dolphins at Allegiant Stadium on September 26, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Raiders: Grading the defensive position groups entering the 2022 offseason

Safety

The Safety position is one to keep an eye on this offseason, as the team really needs Johnathan Abram to step up in his fourth season with the team. Abram has shown at times that he can be an impact player for this franchise, but the mistakes are far too common, and sometimes he is a real liability.

Abram improved under Bradley last season, and it will be interesting to see how he does in the new defensive scheme Graham will install. Tre’Von Moehrig was a second round pick in 2021 that did not make many mistakes, as he proved the Raiders to be smart by trading up for him on Day 2 of the 2021 NFL Draft.

Outside of those two players, the Raiders need to attack this position group, as Abram is a question mark, and there is not much behind him. Tyree Gillespie was a fourth round pick in 2021, and should get a shot this offseason, while Roderic Teamer played well at times, making this a fairly deep unit going into the offseason.

Grade: B

This is a defense that has a lot of question marks heading into this offseason, but questions that can be answered in a hurry. There are a ton of players the Raiders could retain that would instantly improve the grades for each position group, but as it stands, there is a lot of work to do here.