Oakland Raiders: 6 Players under most pressure during 2018 offseason

Oakland Raiders: 6 Players under the most pressure during offseason program

GLENDALE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 18: Running back Doug Martin #22 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the sidelines during the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on September 18, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Buccaneers 40-7. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

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ARLINGTON, TX – AUGUST 26: La’el Collins #71 of the Dallas Cowboys tries to protect Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys as he is hit by Shilique Calhoun #91 of the Oakland Raiders in the second quarter of a preseason game at AT&T Stadium on August 26, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

DE/LB, Shilique Calhoun

Shilique Calhoun has been through a rocky start to his NFL career. He played defensive end within a four-man front at Michigan State. Oakland drafted him in the third round and moved him to linebacker. Last offseason, the team waived him then brought him back on the practice squad. He returned to the active roster in October.

In March, Oakland tendered Calhoun. He’ll earn $555,000 for the year if he makes the roster, per Spotrac. His experience should lead him to take reps as a primary reserve for Mack and Irvin at defensive end, but the front office selected Arden Key, who brings tremendous upside as a pass-rusher.

Gruden commented on Key’s prospective role as a primary backup and closer along with Mack and Irvin at defensive end, per San Francisco Chronicle reporter Matt Kawahara:

"You’ve got to have at least three guys that can get after the quarterback because you win games with your fourth-quarter pass rush. You work 57 minutes to get a lead, and your fourth-quarter pass rush has to close the door down. So, we think Key can be one of those guys at the end of games."

Oakland also signed Tank Carradine during free agency. Competition and the fact the current regime didn’t draft Calhoun put his standing with the team in question. There’s a lot of pressure on the third-year pro to turn heads in the spring and summer or return to the scrap heap.

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