The Las Vegas Raiders’ protection improved below head coach Antonio Pierce final season, however there’s nonetheless loads of room to develop total. One space the workforce may enhance is the inside of its defensive position.
Bilal Nichols and John Jenkins began each sport at defensive deal with for the Raiders, and whereas each have been stable total, they didn’t present a lot when it comes to pressuring the quarterback and getting within the backfield. Maybe a commerce may present a solution to that downside.
Dallas Robinson of Professional Soccer Community not too long ago spoke concerning the Miami Dolphins’ dilemma with defensive deal with Christian Wilkins. He believes they will’t afford to lose him for nothing and will franchise him after which discover a commerce and views the Raiders as a workforce that must be prepared to leap in and make a proposal for the proficient defensive deal with by way of Ezekiel Trezevant IV of Sports activities Illustrated:
“The Raiders must be prepared to look right into a Wilkins acquisition, which might enable Antonio Pierce and Co. to complement a protection that quickly improved over the second half of the 2023 season.
“Wilkins, who performed extra snaps than any DT final yr, may be an ideal match alongside Maxx Crosby, who’s topped 900 snaps in 4 consecutive campaigns.”
“Las Vegas may supply the forty second total choose in change for Wilkins,” Robinson mentioned. The Dolphins, who would obtain only a 2025 third-round compensatory choice if Wilkins departed as a free agent, would possible settle for.”
As famous, Wilkins performed extra defensive snaps than another defensive deal with final season which is one thing that can positively stand out and match proper in subsequent to Maxx Crosby. Moreover, Wilkins’ 9 sacks, 23 quarterback hits and 10 tackles for loss are all greater than the Raiders’ two starters mixed.
A second-round choose for a expertise of Wilkins’ stage can be a worth to pay, and the Raiders would then have to increase him, however Wilkins has confirmed to be the most effective defensive tackles within the NFL and will enormously increase the Raiders protection to a brand new stage. On the very least it’s a transfer the workforce ought to strongly think about as they plan on making a run to the postseason in 2024.
Raiders exploring buying and selling up in first spherical of 2024 NFL Draft
The Raiders have already been rumored to be a workforce to observe going into the NFL Draft, particularly when it comes to transferring up within the first spherical. Initially, it was believed that the workforce was seeking to transfer into the highest 3, however that will not essentially be the case.
Latest studies said that the Raiders have explored the potential of transferring into the 5-7 vary of the draft, which possible wouldn’t internet them that franchise quarterback they have been searching for however may herald a significant contributor at a premium place.
