Raiders: Is Rock Ya-Sin the biggest addition to the defense?

The Las Vegas Raiders should be a much-improved team on defense in 2022, and Rock Ya-Sin may be the biggest addition to the unit.

The Las Vegas Raiders made wholesale changes when it comes to the roster this offseason, adding elite talent on both sides of the ball. On offense, the biggest name was Davante Adams, widely regarded as one of the best wide receivers in all of football, and the best friend of quarterback Derek Carr.

On defense, the biggest name was Chandler Jones, a former All-Pro edge rusher who would team with Maxx Crosby to give the Silver and Black one of the best pass-rush duos in the NFL. However, while Jones is an outstanding get for the Raiders franchise, is the biggest addition to the defense a defensive back?

For years, Las Vegas has struggled in the defensive backfield, and have used countless early draft picks on the cornerback and safety position groups. Also, the team has spent money in free agency trying to fix their issues, all the while getting sub-par results from the group as a whole.

Now, with the addition of Rock Ya-Sin at cornerback, will the secondary finally take a major step forward?

Raiders banking on Rock Ya-Sin in 2022

During the 2021 NFL Draft, the Raiders brought in two elite players for the defensive backfield, including second-round pick, Tre’Von Moehrig. Then, on Day 3, Nate Hobbs proved to be an incredible steal, becoming one of the best slot cornerbacks in the NFL, and playing at a Pro Bowl level.

With Trayvon Mullen hopefully ready to take the next step forward, and the addition of Ya-Sin, you have to like the Raiders chances of being much improved in the secondary. Ya-Sin is a proven player at the NFL level, and his arrival could fill the voids that plagued this Raiders defensive backfield for so many years.

3 Raiders who could earn starting roles during 2022 training camp

With 25 new Raiders in town, not including draftees and UDFAs, position battles will heat up. We identify three of these battles, potentially won via camp

The AFC West is loaded with quarterback talent, including Justin Herbert, Russell Wilson, and Patrick Mahomes, so being elite in the secondary is paramount. Jones is going to have a major impact coming off the edge, but if Ya-Sin can be a playmaking, shutdown cornerback, his arrival is the most important one.