Telesco Wants Raiders Led by Defense

The Las Vegas Raiders have historically been a team that was led by their offense. New General Manager Tom Telesco could change the Raiders into a team led by their defense.

Over the years, the Las Vegas Raiders have invested more into their offense than their defense. 

However, with new General Manager Tom Telesco and a new Coach Antonio Pierce, a former linebacker, the Raiders have a chance to reinvent themselves as a team that is led by their defense, instead of their offense.

However, last season changed that for the Silver and Black. The Raiders started the season expecting their offense, which was the second-highest paid offense in the NFL, to lead the way. 

They Raiders had arguably the best running back and wide receiver in the league lining up on offense every week and had just signed a quarterback they expected to be able to at least give them competent play at the position. 

Yet, between poor play from quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, star running back Josh Jacobs holding out the entire offseason, and their outdated offense, the Raiders had an offensive coaching staff that was unable put together the pieces of what could've been one of the best units in the NFL. 

The Las Vegas Raiders have historically been a team led by their offense. General Manager Tom Telesco has the chance to change that

Unexpectedly, the Raiders' defense slowly developed into the unit Las Vegas depended on to win games. They Silver and Black had added young pieces to their defense that started to jell as time went on. 

After a full season of improved play, there is no reason to not expect the Raiders' defense to continue improving, especially with the addition of defensive tackle Christian Wilkins.

The Raiders now have one of the best defensive lines in the National Football League and could use the 13th overall pick to solidify their cornerback position, which would give them one of the youngest, but most talented defenses in the league.

The Raiders probably will face one of the best quarterbacks of all- time twice every season for at least the next decade, in Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs. 

They also face another one of the best quarterbacks in the league twice a season, Justin Herbert of the Los Angeles Chargers. The Denver Broncos will undoubtedly try to get a marquee quarterback this offseason.

With Telesco's respect for Mahomes, his intimate knowledge of the Chargers, and the expected addition of at least a serviceable quarterback for the Broncos, the Raiders would be wise to invest in creating a defense that can stop the offensive firepower they will face within the AFC West. 

The signing of Wilkins and the continued emergence of the Malcolm Koonce, Maxx Crosby and Tyree Wilson, combined with the Raiders potentially drafting a defensive player, primarily a cornerback, would give Las Vegas a formidable defense moving forward. 

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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