If the Las Vegas Raiders are able to make the playoffs this season, chances are it’ll be mostly because of the defense, which figures to be the team’s biggest strength going into the 2024 campaign.
The Raiders are returning most of a defense that surrendered just 19.5 points per game last season, the ninth-best mark in the NFL. If you just include the average after Antonio Pierce took over, it goes down to 16.0, the best in the NFL in that span.
Now, the Raiders have added star defensive lineman Christian Wilkins, adding to an already impressive front that also includes superstar pass-rusher Maxx Crosby and up-and-coming EDGE Malcolm Koonce, who is coming off a career-best year.
But we’re not the only ones excited about Las Vegas’ defense. Bleacher Report’s Scouting Department believes the Raiders have the eighth-best defense in the NFL ahead of next season. Here’s their thoughts:
Why They’re Ranked Here
The Raiders season was a tale of two halves last season. The team, including the defense, was a mess under Josh McDaniels and they struggled to a 3-5 start to the season. When McDaniels was fired and Antonio Pierce took over as the interim head coach the defense blossomed.
Over the second half of the season they were among the best scoring defenses in the league with a pass rush that averaged over three sacks a game.
Adding Christian Wilkins to the mix through free agency should ensure that they have one of the better pass rushes in the league. If Tyree Wilson and Jakorian Bennett can take steps forward after their rookie seasons, this unit has a ton of potential.
