Power Rankings: Top Post-Draft Defenses (5-10)

Sep 23, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) is tackled by Oakland Raiders cornerback Tracy Porter (23) and linebacker Nick Roach (53) during the first half at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Oakland Raiders
Last Season’s Rankings: #22 Overall Defense (363.7 total yards per game allowed) #28 Passing Defense (255.8 passing yards per game allowed) #13 Rushing Defense (107.9 rushing yards per game allowed)

Last Season
Typically the Raiders are usually the Raiders, wasting draft picks on  The Raiders this off-season were busy, to say the least. In total the Raiders brought in and signed eight different players from around the league. From Packer WR James Jones, to Houston DE Antonio Smith (pictured above), to RB Maurice Jones-Drew from Jacksonville, to New York Giants’ DE Justin Tuck, to New York Jets’ OT Austin Howard, Steelers’ LB Lamar Woodley and even a pair of CBs (Carlos Rogers and Terrelle  Brown) from the San Francisco 49ers across the bay. With these pickups, the Raiders went out and got something that they desperately needed: a defense. Last season the defense was atrocious for the Raiders. For example their pass defense ranked last or next to last in nearly all defensive passing categories. What was particularly atrocious was their pass defense, specifically their ability to defend passes. Last season the Raiders ranked last in passes defended with only 40 (17 less than 2nd-worst) and second to last with just nine interceptions. With the pickups of San Francisco corners Carlos Rogers and Terrelle Brown, the Raiders will get some much needed secondary help. As well, with Woodley, Tuck and Smith playing on their front seven, the Raiders should be just plain brutal against the run in 2014.

Run Defense
If there is one thing you can get from this article, it is that the Oakland Raiders have one of the best front sevens in the NFL (next to the 49ers). Here is the starting lineup in case you didn’t know: DE Lamar Woodley (career averages: 42.7 tackles, 8.14 sacks, 2.7 tackles for loss over seven seasons at Pittsburgh), DT Pat Sims (54 tackles, two sacks and six tackles for loss in 2013), DT Antonio Smith (career averages: 31.3 tackles, 4.61 sacks, and 3.4 tackles for loss with the Texans and Cardinals), DE Justin Tuck (63 tackles, 11 sacks and seven tackles for loss in 2013), OLB Sio Moore (50 tackles, 4.5 sacks and four tackles for loss in 2013), ILB Nick Roach (112 tackles, 5.5 sacks, five tackles for loss and four forced fumbles) and ILB Kevin Burnett (105 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 13 tackles for loss and three forced fumbles). Not to mention, the Raiders obtained a huge array of defensive draft picks. However the most important would have to be OLB Khalil Mack.

In his senior season for the Bulls, Mack has shown to be one of the nation’s top prospects with his unbelievably strength and unrelenting ability to get to the quarterback. With 10.5 sacks, 100 total tackles, 3 interceptions and 5 forced fumbles this season, Mack was easily voted the Mid-American Conference’s Defensive Player of the Year. As well in Mack’s outstanding senior season 2 of his 3 interceptions were returned for touchdowns, which were tied for 2nd in the country. What has been great about Khalil Mack has been his overall consistency and development throughout his career at UB. Since Mack’s freshman year at Buffalo, he has averaged an FBS-record 18.75 tackles for loss and 4 forced fumbles per season. Even playing for a program such as that of the MAC’s Buffalo Bulls, Mack has been able to show phenomenal progress and standout potential as a LB. Since Mack’s freshman year at Buffalo, he has averaged an amazing, FBS-record 18.75 tackles for loss and 4 forced fumbles per season. In total, Mack was able to record 74 tackles for loss, 28.5 sacks, 327 total tackles (including 100 in his senior season), 21 passes defended (including four interceptions, two of which were returned for touchdowns), 16 fumbles forced and even 31 career QB hurries.  Where Mack fits into this defense will be in his ability to rush the QB and ability to stop the run. Mack has been known for his brute strength and size (6’3″, 250 lbs.) and should give this 4-3 defense some added and needed run-stopping ability. He is not the biggest force in this draft when compared to Clowney, but his ability on the field is unmatched by anybody. You can see his speed right off the snap as he gets a great release off the line and is able to locate the ball carrier quickly and effectively. As well, with a wide array of moves, Mack has no trouble getting to the QB or a RB in the backfield. Mack’s strength is perhaps underrated as he is often very physical with opposing ball carriers, helping to jar the ball loose on occasion.

Other draft picks include Justin Ellis and Shelby Harris. One thing about the DT Justin Ellis out of Louisiana Tech; he is huge. Last season the Raiders ranked 13th when stopping the run, allowing 107.9 yards per game to opposing backs last season. With Ellis, his senior season was by far his most dominant. In 2013 for the Bulldogs, Ellis was able to record 48 total tackles (15 solo tackles), 5.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and 2 QB hurries. In the curious case of the Oakland Raiders, Ellis could most likely help out at left defensive tackle for Pat Sims. Whatever the case may be, the Raiders are sure getting a big force in the middle. Hopefully they can find a jersey big enough. With an already stacked defensive line, Harris adds some good depth at the defensive end position. At Illinois State, Harris was able to record 14 sacks in 33 career games. However, what many don’t know is some of Harris’s off-the-field concerns that could give the Raiders some grief going into next season.

Antonio Smith, Justin Tuck, Lamar Woodley, Kevin Burnett, Nick Roach, Khalil Mack and Justin Ellis could potentially be that 7 man wrecking crew that Al Davis always envisioned.
Pass Defense
Last season the Raiders’ pass defense was about the worst of their problems last year. However, with the additions of CBs Carlos Rogers (career averages as a Redskin/49er: 49.5 tackles, 12.1 passes defended, and 1.8 interceptions over nine seasons) and Terell Brown (32 tackles and 10 passes defended in 2013). As well, the Raiders did draft some great secondary help. Last season, the Raiders had the 5th-worst passing game in the NFL. In 2013, the Raiders allowed opposing offenses to go score a preposterous 33 passing touchdowns and throw for 255.8 yards per game ( ranked 5th-worst in the NFL) as the Raiders entire defense only intercepted 9 passes from opposing QBs (2nd-worst). In 2013, the Raiders were one of many teams who had some trouble with injuries and such and are looking to avenge their misfortunes through the 2014 NFL Draft. With that considered, the Raiders did in fact fill the need for some new corner backs with Brown and Rogers from San Francisco. I guess what I have trouble understanding is the need for not one, not two, but three corners to be selected. All in all though they should see major improvement especially with Tyvon Branch at safety, considering he is a tackling machine.

In The End
Although the Raiders did rank pretty low last season in terms of defense, I believe that with the amount of off-season additions and the secondary help, their defense should be ranked at least top-10 granted all of their players perform up to par.