Under-the-Radar X-Factors on Raiders' Defense

These Las Vegas Raiders players could be crucial to a defensive turnaround.

The Las Vegas Raiders are looking to improve on defense after a season in which they were near the bottom of the NFL in several defensive statistical categories.

Defensive Coordinator Patrick Graham knows his unit needs to improve, and the Raiders made significant changes on the defensive side of the ball through free agency and the 2023 NFL Draft.

The Raiders will face some of the most formidable offenses in the NFL this season, including a few in their own division. If they want to be competitive in the AFC West, they will need to be able to keep up defensively.

The Raiders making strides on defense could determine their success this season, and a few players could be X-factors in helping them do that.

Today, let’s look at three under-the-radar players for the Raiders on defense.

Defensive end Chandler Jones -- Jones signed a lucrative contract with the Raiders for the 2022 offseason but did not perform at that level last season. Jones is one of the most talented pass rushers of his time, and the Raiders need him to be, as they were last in the AFC in sacks.

Jones has 112 sacks in his career, and his career-high was 17 in 2017. With the investments along the defensive line, Jones should have an excellent chance to bounce back from last season. If he returns to form, the Raiders should see a notable improvement.

Cornerback David Long Jr. -- Long was one of several investments the Raiders made in their secondary, adding the former Los Angeles Ram on a one-year contract.

Long has posted 77 tackles, seven pass breakups and an interception in his four-year career. He played a career-high 517 snaps in 2021 as an outside corner. The Raiders are counting on Long to continue his solid play on the outside, and if he can deliver, it should help improve the secondary.

Safety Jaquan Johnson -- Johnson was another free agent signing by the Raiders, a player who thrived as a special teams contributor for the Buffalo Bills. Johnson is a good player with good physical traits, but his intangibles and leadership qualities will be invaluable for the Raiders.

Johnson should continue to be an excellent special teams contributor and provide necessary depth for the Raiders at safety, a position that needs it. Between him and Marcus Epps, the Raiders have new, valuable voices in their safety grouping.

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