NFL 2018: Ranking the 5 best offseason moves at defensive end

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 29: Defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson #96 of the New York Jets celebrates a tackle against running back Tevin Coleman #26 (not pictured) of the Atlanta Falcons during the third quarter of the game at MetLife Stadium on October 29, 2017 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /

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TUSCALOOSA, AL – NOVEMBER 04: Jalen Hurts #2 of the Alabama Crimson Tide rushes away from Arden Key #49 of the LSU Tigers at Bryant-Denny Stadium on November 4, 2017 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

5. Arden Key (Oakland Raiders)

Could the Silver and Black actually be entertaining thoughts about trading the 2016 NFL Defensive Player of the Year? End Khalil Mack has emerged as one of the better performers at his position in the league. But the fifth overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft is in the final year of his rookie contract and both he to the Oakland Raiders appear to be on different pages in terms of a pay raise.

This offseason, no team in the NFL has signed or dealt for more veteran players than the Raiders. And the team continues to tweak its roster, recently adding veteran cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (cut loose by the New York Giants this offseason).

So call this a little bit of a leap of faith, although rookie defensive end Arden Key has shown signs of being a major contributor to an Oakland team that managed only 31 quarterback traps in 2017 — more than one-third of those coming from Mack (10.5). The third-round pick from LSU is still fairly raw but the skills are there.

He’s a bit of a project and the Raiders did use three selections in April to bolster their defensive front. Youth is going to be served. But if the 6-5, 238-pound Key comes into his own this year, Jon Gruden’s team may have found quite the solution for one of the club’s biggest problems.

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