One Particular Raiders Unit Given the Respect it Deserves

The Las Vegas Raiders have been undervalued all offseason, but one list has given a group of players the respect it deserves.

Oct 30, 2023; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) waits for a referee call for on a fumble recovery near the goal line against the Detroit Lions in the third quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports / Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports

The Las Vegas Raiders have been disrespected throughout the offseason.

The quarterback room of Aidan O'Connell and Gardner Minshew was named the weakest in the league. Running back Zamir White was rated last on a list ranking all of the starting runnings backs in the NFL. Linebacker Robert Spillane was left off a list of the Top 32 linebackers in the league, despite being analytically better than over half the list.

The Raiders seem to be consistently punished by the perception that they are the same team under Raiders general manager Tom Telesco and coach Antonio Pierce that they were before the two took the reins.

A new list from Sam Monson of Pro Football Focus credits the Raiders with having one of the best defensive lines in the league. The Silver and Black is the ninth-best in the league for the unit, behind the first-place New York Jets and the top-heavy San Fransisco 49ers, followed by Philadelphia, Detroit, Cleveland, Dallas, Indianapolis, and Pittsburgh.

"The Raiders are another team that found its superstar a while ago and has been slow to build around them," Monson wrote. "Maxx Crosby has been one of the best in football and now has help around him for the first time. Christian Wilkins was the team’s big offseason addition (literally and figuratively), while edge rusher Malcolm Koonce was so impressive last season that he may insure against Tyree Wilson if he doesn’t develop in year two. This is the most formidable Raiders defensive line in a while."

The Raiders have the potential to be one of the best pass rushes in the NFL in 2024. Fellow AFC West rivals were far behind on Monson's list -- Kansas City was ranked No. 14, bolstered by the existence of Chris Jones, the Los Angeles Chargers were No. 22, held together by aging veterans Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack, and the Denver Broncos, once known for a vaunted defensive front, were 31st. There is no question as to who was the best defensive line in the AFC West, along with the best pass rush.

Depth is another thing -- interior defenders Adam Butler and John Jenkins can contribute and even have an impact, and Janarius Robinson is not to be overlooked, either.

The defensive front has been built with the goal of punishing the opposing quarterback, something legendary Raiders owner Al Davis would have appreciated. In the AFC West, keeping Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert off-balance, along with smothering whoever gets the starting job in Denver, will be essential for the Silver and Black.

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