Moe Moton
Edge-Rusher
Defensive line coach Brentson Buckner strengthened the Tampa Bay Buccaneers pass rush during the 2018 campaign, doing his part to boost their sack numbers from 22 to 38 in one season. He helped the Raiders in the same aspect. Oakland went from 13 to 32 sacks over the last two years.
Buckner also deserves credit for rookie fourth-rounder Maxx Crosby‘s rapid development (10 sacks), and Benson Mayowa’s standout 2019 season with a career-high seven sacks.
Nonetheless, the Raiders still have work to do in the pass-rushing department. The defense ranked 29th in quarterback pressures (117) in 2019. With Arden Key listed as the third defensive end behind Clelin Ferrell and Crosby, the unit is one proven edge-rusher away from a big leap in pocket pressure production.
Top Target: Mario Addison
Most fans would rank Yannick Ngakoue or Dante Fowler Jr. atop the list of free-agent targets at this position, but realistically speaking, it doesn’t seem like Mayock and Gruden would spend north of $20 million annually for either player. Also, Ngakoue is most likely going to be franchised tagged in Jacksonville too.
Ngakoue is arguably the top defensive end set to hit the open market. Fowler is coming off his best season with 11.5 sacks and 16 tackles for loss. As Crosby and Ferrell grow in prominent roles, it would be shocking to see the Raiders pay big money for a pass-rusher and drop one of their rookies at the position to a situational role.
We don’t hear Mario Addison’s name often because he’s a late-bloomer. For his first five seasons, he served as a backup, providing low to moderate sack numbers.
In 2017, Addison became a full-time starting defensive end, but he vastly improved his pass-rushing production in the year prior. Since 2016, the 32-year-old has logged 39 sacks, which ranks 10th among all defenders—one spot above Ngakoue with 37.5.
Alternative Option: Jason Pierre-Paul
Jason Pierre-Paul has a connection to Buckner. In 2018, with the Buccaneers, the two worked together. The All-Pro defensive end had one of his best seasons that year, logging 12.5 sacks and 16 tackles for loss.
As Pierre-Paul’s contract expires, he can reunite with Bucker for another run in Las Vegas.
Despite losing one finger and half of another in a fireworks incident and suffering a neck injury in a car accident last offseason, Pierre-Paul recorded 8.5 sacks and nine tackles for loss in 10 contests for the 2019 campaign. The 31-year-old is a relentless pass-rusher and one of the toughest players in the league.
