Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

Free Agent DL Would be a Welcomed Addition

Originally posted on FanNation Raider Maven
By Ezekiel Trezevant IV | Last updated 2/29/24

The Las Vegas Raiders have spent multiple draft picks on their defensive line over the last few seasons. Until this season, they had yet to see much return on that investment. Then, they drafted Tyree Wilson in the first round and figured out how to maximize his production by moving him to the interior defensive line.

This allowed Malcolm Koonce the chance to get more playing time. This effectively made it to where the Raiders only needed one more dependable starting defensive lineman. As they head into the offseason, the Raiders have more than a few choices of defensive linemen they can add via the NFL Draft or free agency.

Marcus Mosher of The 33rd Team believes the Raiders should sign veteran defensive tackle Leonard Williams, former first-round pick of the New York Jets. Adding Williams' talent to an already talented defensive line would be a welcomed addition for the Silver and Black.

"The Las Vegas Raiders have had a problem with defensive tackle for the last several years, and there won't be a great option for them in Round 1, either," Mosher said.

Leonard Williams is a veteran defensive tackle who can play up and down the defensive line. He is getting older, but he would still be a massive upgrade for Las Vegas."

The Raiders found a dependable defensive end to play on the opposite end of Maxx Crosby. They could continue to let Wilson spend his first complete offseason in the NFL training to play on the interior defensive line, which he is better fit to do than play defensive end. This would also allow Wilson to play next to Leonard, allowing both to feed off each other.

Adding Leonard to their defensive line would give the Raiders three former first-round draft picks on their defensive line. While they'd still need to add more pieces to fill out the spots behind those players, a combination of Crosby, Williams, Wilson, and Koonce is formidable.

The NFL Draft will be held in Detroit, Mich., on April 25-27, 2024. The Las Vegas Raiders currently hold the No. 13 overall pick.

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This article first appeared on FanNation Raider Maven and was syndicated with permission.

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