BREAKING NEWS: Raiders instructed to reunite with the previous $26 million sack leader who is…

The Raiders defense line is expected to be a strength of the team this offseason; however, if Tyree Wilson doesn’t improve in Year 2, they may be a little too top-heavy. The Raiders haven’t made a major offseason investment in the secondary, so they may be concentrating on assembling the best defensive line possible. As per ESPN’s Aaron Schatz, the team should seriously consider adding free agent defensive end Yannick Ngakoue.

“The Raiders have a superstar edge rusher in Maxx Crosby but a real depth problem behind him,” Schatz wrote in a June 20 column. “Right now, the plan is to move Tyree Wilson inside, leaving Malcolm Koonce starting on the edge. Koonce had a surprisingly strong season in 2023, with eight sacks and 31 pressures against defenses that were busy double-teaming Crosby. Behind him, though, are all veteran journeymen and young free agents. If the Raiders bring in Ngakoue, they’ll have a steady veteran edge rusher who can rotate with Koonce and give the team something if Crosby or Koonce miss time with an injury.”

Ngakoue played for the Raiders in 2021 and led the team with 10.0 sacks. While the coaching staff is very different now, he should still have a rapport with Maxx Crosby.

Do Las Vegas Raiders Need Another DE?

Defensive end is one of the strongest position groups of the Raiders right now. Crosby is an All-Pro, Koonce had a breakout year last season and Wilson was the No. 7 pick in the draft just a year ago. Adding a player like Ngakoue isn’t a huge necessity but it could still be a wise move.

Ngakoue has deficiencies in run defense but has proven to be an effective pass rusher. He’s had 8.0 sacks or more in every season he’s played except one. He’d be an asset as a situational pass rusher. He’s also proven to have leadership ability as he was a team captain during his season with the Raiders. He wouldn’t cost much so there isn’t much risk of adding him to the roster.