The Las Vegas Raiders could possibly be a sneaky group to be careful for in the course of the 2024 season as they closed out final yr sturdy and revamped components of the roster this offseason.
Defensively, the Raiders have a number of issues working of their favor. Maxx Crosby stays the guts and soul of the unit, and the group signed Christian Wilkins to beef up the center of the defensive position.
Nonetheless, Las Vegas additionally has Tyree Wilson who can be coming into his second season within the league. Wilson was the Raiders’ first-round choose within the 2023 NFL Draft however spent most of his rookie yr recovering from a foot harm.
Wilson has been laborious at work in the course of the offseason and acquired excessive reward from defensive coordinator Patrick Graham through Ezekiel Trezevant of Sports activities Illustrated:
“Nicely, the transferring the defensive finish inside, that’s all the time been part of similar to for any rookie edge rusher, each for myself and for Robbie Leonard, who’s our D-line coach who does an awesome job,” Graham mentioned. “It teaches them to make use of their arms as a result of they’re coping with the extra fast block from the guard or the middle, so I assumed that was actually important to Tyree’s [Wilson] growth that’s going to assist him out on the sting.
“I’ve advised you earlier than, we make the most of that earlier than prior to now, the completely different spots I’ve been, in order that was good. After which, with the entire offseason, he’s doing what all people else is doing. I don’t wish to single him out, however they’re all working laborious. They’ve acquired an awesome kinship or camaraderie occurring that D-line room and it’s infectious and it’s spreading all through the protection, and also you all the time really feel these guys on the market on the sector whether or not you hear him otherwise you really feel him. It’s a good looking factor to see.”
Wilson performed 17 video games final season and recorded 29 mixed tackles and three.5 sacks, although most of that manufacturing got here after the transfer inside. Wilson’s versatility to play inside or outdoors is a boon for Graham and the protection, and it’ll be attention-grabbing to see the place they line him up in 2024.
Marvin Lewis in contrast Raiders’ Maxx Crosby to NFL Corridor of Famers
Crosby’s established himself as among the best defensive gamers within the league the previous few years and exhibits no indicators of slowing down. His unending motor and relentlessness on the sector prompted Raiders coach Marvin Lewis to match him to a couple NFL Corridor of Famers like Shannon Sharpe and Ray Lewis.
