With new defensive line coach Rod Marinelli on the staff, there are going to be some changes as to how the Raiders use their defensive linemen. Throughout his coaching career, he’s relied on the three-technique defensive tackle to get up the field and get to the quarterback.
That is why the signing of Maliek Collins was such an important one for the Raiders this offseason. While Collins has never had more than five sacks in a season, he’s one of the league’s best interior rushers. According to ESPN Stats and Info, Collins had the fourth-best win rate as a pass-rusher last season for interior defensive linemen.
If the Raiders’ defense is going to improve this season, they need Collins to produce. Head coach Jon Gruden said as much in a recent Zoom call:
“I think Maliek Collins is a name that we got to circle and look at every single day. I think that three-technique in this defense has to raise hell and he’s got to do it for us.”
It’s noteworthy that Gruden didn’t mention third-year defensive tackle Maurice Hurst as a potential option at that spot. It appears that Collins has already secured a starting job and Hurst will compete to be his back up.
The Raiders are counting on Collins to help their defense and he will be counted on to get to the quarterback. And if recent history has shown us anything, that is where Collins excels. Look for the former third-round pick from Nebraska to have a monster year in Vegas.
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