The Las Vegas Raiders' defensive line is ranked ninth in the NFL by Pro Football Focus and the the offseason signing of tackle Christian Wilkins is one of the major reasons why. Wilkins, who spent five seasons with the Miami Dolphins, finally gives end Maxx Crosby a running mate on his level.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby practices during NFL football training camp at Jack R. Hammett Sports Complex in Costa Mesa, Calif., Wednesday, July 24, 2024. At left and center are Raiders defensive tackles Adam Butler and Christian Wilkins . COSTA MESA, Calif. — The Raiders do run seven-on-seven drills in training camp, but coach Antonio Pierce has made it known he prefers all 11 on each side going against each other.
“The d-line getting back there in three seconds, that’s hard to beat,” cornerback Jack Jones said. “It’s like at times we won’t even have to cover. Them guys are going to go eat.”Wilkins spent the previous five seasons with the Miami Dolphins, overcoming early criticism that the 13th overall pick of the 2019 draft was underperforming expectations. He developed into one of the league’s top interior pass rushers — making nine sacks last season — to buttress a reputation as an elite run stopper.
Bringing Wilkins into the fold eases some of the pressure on Wilson, but the Raiders at some point want to know such a high draft pick played up to those kind of standards no matter if he’s lined up on the edge or inside. A midseason coaching change also meant an opportunity for Koonce, who recorded all eight of his sacks once Pierce took over. He had two sacks over his first two seasons combined.
No one radiates more confidence than Crosby, who has made it his mission this camp to push right tackle Thayer Munford each time they line up against each other.
Christian Wilkins Maxx Crosby NFL NV State Wire NFL Football Antonio Pierce Sports Tyree Wilson Adam Butler National Football League Jack Jones Aidan Oconnell Miami Dolphins John Jenkins Gardner Minshew
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