5 burning questions the Raiders must answer in 2019

2. Will youth be served on the Oakland defensive line?

Just over a year ago, Jon Gruden used three of his nine draft choices in an attempt to rebuild the defensive line. Interior performer P.J. Hall was a second-round pick from Sam Houston State. One round later, the Raiders grabbed LSU defensive end Arden Key. And in the fifth round, the club may have gotten a steal in University of Michigan defensive tackle Maurice Hurst – who slipped in the draft due to some medical concerns.

Then came August and the decision to deal 2016 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Khalil Mack to the Chicago Bears. The latter would finish with 12.5 sacks and his new team would finish with the NFL’s third-ranked defense and an NFC North title.

As for the Raiders, it was another disappointing year on this side of the football. Oakland was 26th in the NFL in total yards allowed per game. They gave up the third-most rushing yards in the league and the team’s 13 QB traps were 17 fewer than the Patriots and Giants (30), who were tied for next-to-last in this category. It marked the sixth straight year that the club had finished 21st or worst in total defense.

Now enter Clelin Ferrell, the fourth overall pick two months ago. The former Clemson University standout is joined by two more 2019 picks in ends Maxx Crosby (4-Eastern Michigan) and Quinton Bell (7-Prairie View A&M). Meanwhile, it should be noted that veteran Johnathan Hankins was re-signed and anchors the middle. It could be fun and intriguing to watch these numerous young performers grow into a cohesive group capable of pressuring opposing quarterbacks.

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