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Las Vegas Raiders must use cap space to be legitimate contender in 2022

By Nicholas Yacenko

Jan 15, 2022; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Las Vegas Raiders guard Alex Leatherwood (70) reacts after their loss against the Cincinnati Bengals in an AFC Wild Card playoff football game at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 15, 2022; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Las Vegas Raiders guard Alex Leatherwood (70) reacts after their loss against the Cincinnati Bengals in an AFC Wild Card playoff football game at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports /
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Raiders Johnathan Hankins
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 08: Johnathan Hankins #90 of the Oakland Raiders pumps up the crowd in the second half against the Tennessee Titans at RingCentral Coliseum on December 08, 2019, in Oakland, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /

Las Vegas Raiders must use cap space to be a legitimate contender in 2022

The Defense

On the defensive front, with Bilal Nichols and Jonathan Hankins still on the PUP list and the rest of the roster being filled with fringe players and rookies, the Raiders could really use another effective, veteran defensive tackle that can rush the passer. While Hankins and Nichols are expected to be back soon, adding another proven interior pass rusher to add to the rotation could be very fruitful for the defense.

If the Hall of Fame game proved anything, it’s that the Raiders are lacking depth at important positions. The Raiders were unable to get any push against the Jaguars backup offensive line with Kendall Vickers registering the only sack.

The team held up well in run defense and while the Raiders’ top pass rushers didn’t play, it is still worrisome. Sheldon Richardson is the best available interior rusher and has proven year after year to be effective. Having Richardson in a rotational role to spell Hankins on pass downs could free up Maxx Crosby and Chandler Jones even more.

Many Raiders fans are also clamoring for Ndamukong Suh, though the team seems to be holding on adding him. Suh is slowing down and will likely command a hefty salary to play situationally. Malik Jackson and Darius Philon could also provide some extra pass rush juice while Star Lotulelei, Linval Joseph, and Brandon Williams could also be big, run-stuffing bodies.

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