How Raiders Edge Rushers Can Help Maxx Crosby

The Las Vegas Raiders will need to step up and help Maxx Crosby get to the quarterback this season.

The Las Vegas Raiders know they need to improve their pass rush if they want to have a winning record in 2023.

The Raiders had only 27 sacks last season, last in the AFC and third-worst in the NFL.

Maxx Crosby had 12.5 of those sacks, so the rest of the Raiders’ defense combined for only 14.5. The Raiders will need to improve on those numbers, especially against the quarterbacks in the AFC West.

The rest of the Raiders defensive line will need to help Crosby in getting to the quarterback and stopping the run. The Raiders improving in the trenches can set the tone for their entire defense.

The Raiders blitzed on fewer than 40 percent of the third downs they faced. That ranked 16th in the NFL, right in the middle. The teams that produced the most sacks last season, including the Philadelphia Eagles, Kansas City Chiefs, and Dallas Cowboys, all blitzed on third downs more than 45 percent of the time.

The Raiders must blitz more, especially in high leverage situations like third and fourth downs. Sending more players at the quarterback more often will help Crosby and produce better outcomes for the defense.

Defensive end Chandler Jones did not have a very good season in 2022 by his standards. His ability to bounce back will be crucial in determining how good the Raiders’ overall pass rush will be in 2023.

Rookie Tyree Wilson is still raw as a pass rusher, but his size and speed as a pass rusher should translate to the NFL immediately. His ability to rush the passer off the edge and the interior will be helpful as well.

Speaking of the interior, the Raiders also will also need to produce in that area. While that group is young, there is talent in their defensive tackle group. Byron Young looks to make an impact as a third round pick, and 2022 day three draft picks Neil Farrell Jr. and Matthew Butler could see an increase in playing time.

Crosby is an excellent pass rusher, but he can’t do everything himself for the Raiders be a top defensive team. He will need help, and the ancillary pieces are present on the Raiders to provide him with that help.

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