If Las Vegas Raiders are to surprise in 2021, it’s on the defense
The Las Vegas Raiders are a popular pick to finish last in the AFC West. If they’re to surprise the experts, it’ll be on their defense to step up.
Few is any believe in the Las Vegas Raiders.
After faltering down the stretch of the regular season for a second consecutive year, head coach Jon Gruden enters his fourth campaign at the helm — for this stint, anyway — trying to get things rolling in Las Vegas.
The Raiders had a tough offseason, losing guard Gabe Jackson, right tackle Trent Brown, center Rodney Hudson and receiver Nelson Agholor. For additions, the only notables were edge rusher Yannick Ngakoue and cornerback Casey Hayward, who comes over the play in defensive coordinator Gus Bradley’s Cover 3 scheme.
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Still, even with a new coordinator in Bradley and two veteran headliners joining the group, the Raiders have work ahead. The unit was one of the league’s worst last season, ranking 25th in yards allowed and 30th in points surrendered.
Moving forward, Las Vegas needs more from the youngsters, specifically the former first-round picks. Safety Johnathan Abram has flashed but is often injured or ineffective, while edge rusher Clelin Ferrell has 6.5 sacks in two years. Furthermore, corner Damon Arnette was average at best in his first season.
On Wednesday, Ferrell talked to the media about why he believes 2021 could be different for him and the team, per NFL.com:
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“I think the biggest thing for me is, in the big scheme of things is just not growing weary. I think the No. 1 thing is, I’ve got tape of me dominating games. I’ve got practice film of me killing it in practice. And for a lot of people, the results is going to come. I’ve got stats, but they’re not the dominant stats that everybody wants to see from myself because they know I can get them. It’s cool, but at the same time, I’ve got to stay patient, stay disciplined. At times it does get tough because you’re like, ‘Dag, man, I just want to have the numbers.'”
With the Kansas City Chiefs lurking in the division along with a talented Los Angeles Chargers group, the Raiders have to find some way to slow down talented offenses. Without doing so, Derek Carr and the offense can score 24+ per game, but it won’t be enough when some of the better quarterbacks face the Silver and Black.
