Oakland Raiders: Examining strengths, concerns going into 2018 season
Concern: Compensating for Khalil Mack’s Departure
When looking back at the Mack trade from a week ago, it boils down to two things. Either the Raiders couldn’t or wouldn’t pay him long term. Even at a high cost, a team should do whatever it takes to retain a generational player, especially with the salary cap rising every year.
Nonetheless, there’s no time to a rehash the blockbuster deal. The Raiders have to move on with Bruce Irvin as their top pass-rusher. Many people improperly measure his career sack totals. He’s lined up primarily as a linebacker—not a pure pass-rusher. Of course, his sacks will look average across the board.
Under defensive coordinator Paul Guenther, Irvin will line up as a defensive end, whose primary job focuses on taking down the quarterback.
Irvin cannot become Mack, but the Raiders need the best version of Bruce Irvin going forward. The defensive line lost three out of its top four pass-rushers from the last season. Denico Autry logged five sacks and Mario Edwards Jr. recorded 3.5 as the third and fourth players in that group.
Outside of Irvin, the Raiders don’t have a proven pass-rusher in the front seven. In the midst of explaining the team’s decision to trade Mack, Gruden mentioned the possibility of blitzing more often to generate pocket pressure. It’s ideal to rush four and allow seven to drop back, but it’s probably not feasible for this unit right now.
However, Guenther will have several players to develop across the defensive line, specifically three rookies in second-rounder P.J. Hall, third-rounder Arden Key and fifth-rounder Maurice Hurst. The trio flashed as pass-rushers at their respective universities before going pro. Shilique Calhoun and Fadol Brown should have opportunities as well.
Through the year, we’ll find out where Guenther stands among coaches who can develop talent. The defensive play-caller must unlock pass-rush potential up front so quarterbacks don’t have all the time needed to throw darts in the Raiders secondary. It’s Irvin’s time to lead, but he’ll need some help from a few players on the rise.