Oakland Raiders: 5 Pass-rushers still available on open market
Adrian Clayborn
Defensive end Adrian Clayborn logged 9.5 sacks during the 2017 campaign, but that’s an anomaly. With the Atlanta Falcons, he logged six sacks against the Dallas Cowboys in one game (Week 10). In that matchup, he continuously beat Chaz Green, who signed with the Raiders this offseason.
Aside from his 2017 campaign, Clayborn never matched his 7.5-sack total as a rookie with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Still, he’s logged at least 13 quarterback hits in each of the last four seasons. The 30-year old lists at 6-3, 280 pounds, a stout defender who can line up on the strong side and shift inside in certain sub-packages.
Clayborn’s production doesn’t light up the sack column, but he’s capable of collapsing the pocket and serving as a good example for the youth on the roster.
Ezekiel Ansah
Ezekiel Ansah is, by far, the best choice on this list if he’s healthy. The 29-year-old underwent offseason shoulder surgery. According to Rapoport, teams will take a wait-and-see approach following his procedure:
Why hasn’t pass-rusher Ziggy Ansah signed yet? His agent said teams wanted more info about his surgically repaired shoulder. The plan is to wait until his 4-month appointment in mid-April to help determine his readiness. After the initial FA push, there’s no rush to sign now.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 25, 2019
That group should include the Silver and Black. Coming off an injury, Ansah’s price tag shouldn’t force teams into bankruptcy. Secondly, his production has gone through its ups and downs in recent years. In 2017, he recorded 12 sacks between two- and four-sacks seasons. Barring an outrageous demand, the Raiders would likely have enough cap space to acquire him.
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Ansah holds up well at the line of scrimmage. In three out of six seasons, he logged at least 13 tackles for a loss, which illustrates his ability to reach the backfield and stop the run. The 6-5, 275-pounder can also set the edge when defending plays designed to attack the outside.
Ansah will turn 30 years old in May, and the Raiders should absolutely keep an eye on his status, regardless of whom they draft in April.