Last year, Jon Gruden talked up Johnathan Hankins, saying he was the most improved player on the team. Yet, the statement came with little notoriety. The former second-round pick signed on with the team after week one of the 2018 season and started the final 14 games. Even still, everyone was focusing on drafted rookies P.J. Hall and Maurice Hurst.
Then Hankins went out and started every game last season at nose tackle and led all Raiders defensive linemen with 50 combined tackles.
Still, the conversation seems to surround whether Hurst is going to break out this season and the impact of newly signed Maliek Collins. So, Thursday, Jon Gruden, unprompted, figured he’d remind everyone about his full time starting nose tackle the past two seasons.
“Hankins is a guy nobody is talking about,” said Gruden. “Johnathan Hankins has really been a good player for us, he’s in great shape and has bought in to the Marinelli factor.”
New defensive line coach Rod Marinelli brought with him a couple players from Dallas. Collins comes over as an interior pass rusher and Daniel Ross came over as well. So, understandably it would seem they have the favor of Marinelli.
As for Hurst and Hall, well Hall was just waived after the team tried trading him to the Vikings and he failed the physical. And Hurst may find himself fighting for playing time behind Collins and Hankins. Keep in mind, Hurst started just four games last season.
Meanwhile, the actual starter needs his head coach to remind everyone he exists each offseason. Kinda tiresome actually.
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