Las Vegas Raiders: 3 defensive players that must bounce back in 2023

Las Vegas Raiders: 3 defensive players that must bounce back in 2023

• 1. Tre'Von Moehrig, S

During the 2021 NFL Draft, the Raiders traded up in the second round for TCU safety Tre'Von Moehrig, and he proved to be well worth the move. Moehrig was outstanding as a rookie for the Raiders, and many felt he had the potential to be a possible All-Pro player going into his second season.

Unfortunately, like Hobbs, Moehrig struggled in a big way in Year 2, and now goes into his third training camp with a target on his back. The Raiders added Marcus Epps this offseason, and he is going to start, while Christopher Smith II, a unanimous All-American is waiting in the wings to take a starting job as well.

Carter Landis from Sports Illustrated put out a piece in May that the best was yet to come from Moehrig. Both the Raiders and Moehrig better hope that is the case, because if he struggles like he did in 2022, he has a lot more talent behind him on the depth chart now.

In a perfect world, Moehrig is the dominant figure he was back in 2021, teaming with Epps to give the Raiders two outstanding starters at the safety position in Graham's defense. If he falters, the Raiders may have to turn to a rookie in Smith, and we all know what kind of growing pains could come from that scenario.