Raiders: Johnathan Hankins decides to re-sign, and here is why
Why Hankins was so keen on returning
Hankins putting the pen to the paper last week marked the third different Raiders’ general manager who the defensive tackle has agreed to terms with. What’s made Hankins so willing to return to the organization?
It all starts with Las Vegas being called home for the Raider now entering his fifth-year playing for the team.
As Hankins expresses how the city has treated him well, he also states it was hard to pass up playing with guys like Maxx Crosby and Derek Carr. Crosby isn’t the only defensive lineman who Hankins believes will help the line out; All the new additions will play key parts, according to him.
"“With the guys that we got on the D-line that’s coming in, I feel like we can do even better than what we did last year.”"
Of course, All-Pro Chandler Jones is another guy who can’t be praised enough for how much his presence impacts a defensive line. Beyond that, Hankins acknowledges how such a player coming from the edge can help him as a defensive tackle, noting when the edge guys make the quarterback step up, it’s easier for the inside guys to make a sack happen.
As you can guess, the chance to play for a defensive coordinator he’s familiar with also helped make this decision easier for Hankins. It’s not only the familiarity with Patrick Graham that played a part in the defensive tackle’s choice, but also the kind of person Graham is. Hankins knows the Raiders’ new defensive coordinator will push him hard, continuing to help him grow as a player.
Hankins is excited to get back on the field and start building chemistry with the abundance of new defensive line players Las Vegas added this off-season.