The Raiders have multiple needs on both sides of the ball heading into the 2022 offseason. But one of the biggest has to be improving the interior defensive line.
Whenever Johnathan Hankins was out of the lineup, the Raiders really struggled to stop the run. As good as Maxx Crosby and Yannick Ngakoue have been as pass rushers, neither are considered strong run defenders. They rely on the interior defensive line and the linebackers to stop the run while they are getting to the quarterback.
But with Hankins scheduled to be a free agent, they might need to finally consider upgrading that position. That is why it wouldn’t be all that surprising to see the Raiders look to the NFL Draft to solve their defensive tackle issues. One possible option is Georgia’s Jordan Davis, who is the best run defender in the class.
In a recent mock draft by NFL.com, they had the Raiders selecting Davis at pick No. 22 in Round 1. Here is what former NFL scout Bucky Brooks had to say about the possible pairing:
“It is hard to take a primary run stopper early in the draft, but Davis is a difference-maker at the point of attack against the run. The mammoth defensive tackle could single-handedly neutralize opposing running games and create more pass-rush opportunities for Maxx Crosby and Yannick Ngakoue.”
Davis is one of the biggest defensive tackles you will ever see, measuring in at 6’6, 340 pounds. However, he isn’t a big pass rusher as he totaled just seven sacks in four years with Georgia. But his game is built on demanding double teams and stopping the run.
Considering the Raiders already have multiple edge rushers who can get to the quarterback, Davis would make a ton of sense in the middle of their defense. He would finally give them a run stopper that could help them get to third and long.