Breaking down the Oakland Raiders defensive line rotation

For Oakland Raiders fans, it feels like the holiday season is over and we are just waiting for the new year to start. Reggie Mckenzie made some surprise moves during the draft, leaving us thinking of the direction he will be taking the team.

Mckenzie drafted a project with big upside in Jihad Ward out of Illinois then added edge rusher Shilique Calhoun from Michigan State in rounds two and three. There are a lot of questions as to how the front will look with a lot of variables and moving parts involved in the equation. There are a myriad of versatile defensive linemen on the roster making for an interesting question of how this will all shake out.

Let’s start with the interior line.

The incumbents in that position are Dan Williams and Justin Ellis. Behind those two are backups Stacy Mcgee and Leon Orr. Williams and Ellis are true run stoppers who take up blockers on the line and plug the middle well. The area in which they are lacking is an interior pass rush. Without that rush, quarterbacks have the ability to step up in the pocket avoiding the outside rush and buying time for receivers to get open downfield. The backups here are raw and inconsistent but are serviceable when the starters need a rest.

Enter Jihad Ward. Ward stands at 6’5” weighing in at 297 lbs with the versatility to play both interior and exterior line positions. When grouped with defensive ends, Ward’s numbers seem pedestrian. His 5.11 40 time ranks near the bottom of defensive ends taken in the draft. When slid over into the position he will probably be playing with the Raiders, his numbers seem much better.

Raiders coaches are salivating at getting their hands on him to refine his skills If his skill catches up to his natural talent, then the sky is the limit for what he can become. Ward can use his versatility and suddenness to the ball carrier that made him a serviceable end and incorporate that into an interior pass rush. Built in a similar vein to Malik Jackson, now of the Jacksonville Jaguars, they are also similar in skill set. If Ward can be molded into the dominant player that Jackson eventually became, then the interior line will have that same feel of the Broncos interior line of last year.

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The edges are shaping up to be a plus group, but will possibly be just as convoluted as the interior.

Khalil Mack will be patrolling the defensive end spot with Bruce Irvin most likely playing opposite him. Irvin was an OLB in Seattle, but Mckenzie has already informed Irvin that he will mostly line up at the end position. Add Denico Autry to that list with uncertainty of Mario Edwards Jr and there is a solid core of players here. With Mack and Irvin’s ability to move out to OLB, more playing time can be allocated amongst backups. Shilique Calhoun is one of those players that has versatility (notice the theme here?) that can line up at both DE and OLB. Calhoun is a rush specialist that will most likely have his number called on passing downs. Calhoun only adds to an edge that may shake out to being one of the best pass rushing groups in the league.

Now a lot of this hinges on what defensive scheme will be run next season with the prevailing thought being a 3-4. This allows Mack and Irvin to switch between OLB and DE depending on the situation. If Mack and Irvin flex out to LB, Edwards (if healthy) will slide in alongside Williams.

One omission I am aware that you have no doubt noticed is the lack of mentioning Aldon Smith. I see Smith as more as an OLB with the addition of Irvin and the uncertainty of Neiron Ball, who still has yet to make an appearance during veteran offseason workouts. Smith does also figure to slot into the DE position on passing downs, but is able to handle his own in the run game from OLB position. Here is how I think the line will look going into the season.

RE-Khalil Mack

DT-Mario Edwards Jr

DT-Dan Williams

LE-Bruce Irvin

In this alignment Jihad Ward or Denico Autry could lineup at end and allow Mack or Irvin to play OLB opposite Ball, Calhoun and M.Smith. When Aldon returns, he should slide into an OLB with ability rush the passer on passing downs. I believe that the personnel the Raiders now posses are better to run a 3-4 defense.

In a 3-4, this could be the setup:

DT–Mario Edwards Jr

NT-Dan Williams

DT-Stacy Mcgee

In this setup there are multiple players who can slot into this front presumably slotting around Williams or Ellis. Shelby Harris, Leon Orr or Jihad Ward can be placed in this front. Mack, Irvin, M.Smith, Calhoun and A.Smith would slide into linebacker positions alongside Heeney or rookie Cory James at MLB. This also allows for more defensive playmakers to be on the field.

As you can see there are many moving parts in the system and it is almost impossible to forecast what the front will be. Training camp will provide a better barometer for who steps up to secure spots alongside Williams, Mack and Irvin who are figuring to be the only true locks at their positions. Edwards has been seen during team activities as a full go, but the team has been mum on any further details with Edwards’ neck . The defensive front will be a strength this season and with young talent, it will be for years to come.

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