AFC West: Biggest question for each team in 2020

MIAMI, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 2: Head Coach Andy Reid of the Kansas City Chiefs receives a Gatorade shower on the sideline against the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LIV at Hard Rock Stadium on February 2, 2020 in Miami, Florida. The Chiefs defeated the 49ers 31-20. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images) /

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Las Vegas Raiders, AFC West (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /

Las Vegas Raiders: Can Paul Guenther’s defense take another step forward?

In 2018, Jon Gruden returned for his second stint as the head coach of the Raiders. It was an offseason met with plenty of speculation as in late August the team dealt quality defender Khalil Mack to the Chicago Bears for plenty of draft choices. Later that year, the club also sent wide receiver Amari Cooper to the Dallas Cowboys for a first-round pick.

In 2019 and now with Mike Mayock on board as general manager, the club began using those selections. The first-round haul that year included defensive end Clelin Ferrell and safety Johnathan Abram (as well as running back Josh Jacobs). Cornerback Trayvon Mullen came in the second round and end Maxx Crosby, who led the team in sacks (10) as a rookie, was a fourth-round pick.
So a year after finishing 26th in the NFL in total defense while allowing the third-most rushing yards in the league, the Raiders improved to 19th in the former category and were eighth vs. the run. The club went from a league-low 13 sacks to 32 QB traps.

The team still hasn’t mastered the art of the takeaway but Mayock went out and former Rams’ standout Cory Littleton, as well as a slew of other veterans, to bolster a shaky linebacking corps. Will he bring his penchant for the big play to Las Vegas?

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