One of the biggest ways the Raiders can improve this year is by creating a more consistent pass rush. The team had just 32 sacks last season, ten of which came from rookie Maxx Crosby.
So far in training camp, their young defensive ends have impressed. Crosby continues to look like a future star and the offseason looks like it’s done Clelin Ferrell a lot of good. Even third-year defensive end Arden Key is drawing praise from the front office and he seems to be fitting in with new defensive line coach Rod Marinelli.
However, the one player on the defensive line that has yet to impress is veteran Carl Nassib, who the team signed this offseason. Nassib has been a productive defensive end over the last two seasons, totaling 12.5 sacks in only 17 starts.
But in a recent piece by Vic Tafur of The Athletic, he mentions that Nassib has failed to stand out and has been running with the second-team:
“So, if Key is coming on and Ferrell has looked good … somebody has to be slipping. And that would be Nassib, the eighth-highest paid player on the team (Mariota is seventh) after the Raiders gave him $16.75 million guaranteed over the next two years.
Nassib can be seen once in a while on the second team in practice, and the Raiders brass has its guard up — as the former Buccaneer has not been made available to the media at training camp.”
The Raiders brought in Nassib to be insurance in case players like Ferrell and Key didn’t prove they were up to the challenge of playing big snaps. But with both defensive ends having strong camps, it’s made Nassib an overpaid backup.
Considering his price tag, the Raiders will need to get more out of Nassib throughout camp and into the regular season. But as of now, it doesn’t appear that the team has any problem playing the younger players over the veteran. This will be a situation worth monitoring over the next few weeks.
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