Do Raiders Have Best Defensive Line in NFL?
The Las Vegas Raiders have made many moves to their roster so far during this 2024 NFL free agency, both offensively and defensively.
One of the big moves the Silver and Black made was signing former Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Christian Wilkins to a four-year, $110-million dollar contract, adding more talent to the stacked defensive line.
With Wilkins, the Raiders might have the best defensive line in the NFL.
Wilkins finished the 2023-24 NFL regular season with 39 solo tackles, 12 assists and 10 sacks.
According to Pro Football Focus, Wilkins finished with a PFF defensive grade of 74.9, a run defense grade of 71.5 and a pass rush grade of 72.8. The 2019 first-round draft pick has played 81 career games and has 204 solo tackles and 20.5 sacks.
Wilkins will have the opportunity to pair alongside one of the best defensive ends in the league, Maxx Crosby, who had a career-best season in 2023, with 90 total tackles, 55 solo tackles, 14.5 sacks and 23 tackles for losses.
Crosby finished the season with a Pro Football Focus defensive grade of 92.0, a 92.7 run defense grade, and an 83.9 pass rush grade.
Las Vegas Raiders could have the best defensive line entering the 2024-25 NFL regular season
Wilkins will also have the chance to play alongside defensive tackle Malcolm Koonce, who broke out and shined for the Silver and Black defense in 2023.
Koonce finished the 2023-24 NFL season with 55 combined tackles, 40 solo tackles, 10 sacks, and 11 tackles for losses.
Lastly, Wilkins can play alongside and mentor second-year defensive end Tyree Wilson.
In his rookie season with the Silver and Black, Wilson finished with 29 combined tackles, 16 solo tackles, three and a half sacks and two for losses. He ended the 2023-24 NFL regular season with a PFF defensive grade of 47.1, a 47.6 run defense grade, and a 50.5 pass rush grade.
It will be exhilarating to see what this new defensive line can bring for the Silver and Black defense next season.
The NFL Draft will be held in Detroit, Mich., on April 25-27, 2024. The Las Vegas Raiders currently have the No. 13 overall pick.
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