Creating interior pressure has been an issue for years for the Raiders. They drafted both PJ Hall and Maurice Hurst in 2018 to try and remedy that. Hurst has added a bit of pass rush, putting up 7.5 sacks in two seasons, but he didn’t have the second-year leap most had expected from the formerly highly-regarded NFL prospect. The round two pick Hall has been especially disappointing with no sacks as a rookie and just 1.5 last season.
Luckily for them, there may be a few good options available in free agency.
Chris Jones, 26
The prize of this year’s free-agent class along the interior defensive line. And he will have the biggest stage of them all on Sunday to add to his value. He had 58 pressures this season, converting 9 of them into sacks in 13 games. This a season after putting up 15.5 sacks from the defensive end position. The 6-6, 310-pounder creates serious pass rush while also stuffing the run.
Arik Armstead, 26
After a somewhat disappointing first four seasons, the former 17th overall pick broke out in his fifth season with 10.0 sack, 54-tackle season. To be fair, his second and third seasons were both upended by injury.
Based on his career arc, it was the logical season for him to break out. But, of course, there’s always the dreaded ‘contract year’ worries. Hard to deny his physical gifts and talent though. And, like Jones, he too will have the biggest stage to show NFL teams he is worth a big, long term deal.
Javon Hargrave, 27
Hargrave has been a nose tackle for the Steelers for four seasons. But the 6-2, 305-pounder has the pass rush abilities to be an ideal 3-tech. Hargrave had 49 pressures last season and has put up 10.5 sacks over the past two seasons.
That kind of versatility to play both interior line positions increases his value and keeps him on the field for most of the snaps while most nose tackles would see at most half the defensive snaps while rotating in and out.
Others to keep an eye on: Derek Wolfe (30), Gerald McCoy (32), Leonard Williams (26)
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