Las Vegas Raiders defense named top-3 most improved in the NFL
By Brad Weiss
The Las Vegas Raiders have struggled on the defensive side of the ball for years, but one NFL insider feels they could be the most improved in 2022.
The 2022 Las Vegas Raiders will battle it out against some of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, including three elite signal-callers in their own division. To handle this, the Silver and Black went out and revamped the defensive side of the ball, an area that has given this franchise problems for years.
Now, coming off a playoff run in 2021, the Raiders seem to have the right talent on both sides of the ball to make a return trip to the postseason. They added an elite wide receiver in Davante Adams to the offense, and on defense, they will look a lot different than they did a year ago.
National NFL Insider Matt Lombardo has his finger on the pulse of the league, and recently went into depth about what teams would have the most improved defenses in 2022. He spoke of three franchises, and the Silver and Black was one of them.
Raiders stacked talent on defense on all three levels
The biggest addition to the defense was Chandler Jones, who, teamed with Maxx Crosby, gives the Raiders two elite edge rushers. For years, the biggest issue for this Raiders team has been the play at cornerback, another spot that should be improved with the additions of veterans like Anthony Averett, especially, Rock Ya-Sin.
Ya-Sin is a proven player at the NFL level, and with how well rookie Nate Hobbs did in the slot last season, you have to think this position group is as good as it has been for the Raiders in quite some time.
The truth is, Las Vegas should be much improved on the defensive side of the ball, and in that division, that is what will separate whoever comes out on top. Teams have been able to beat the Silver and Black at ease at times, but in 2022, we could see a defense that helps the team win games, and not lose them.