Las Vegas Raiders: 3 new starters on defense to be excited about in 2021
By Brad Weiss
The Las Vegas Raiders did a nice job revamping the defense this offseason, and here are three new starters to get excited about.
The Las Vegas Raiders will kick off their 2021 NFL season in eight days, as they welcome perennial playoff contender Baltimore to Allegiant Stadium. The game will be the first in front of fans for the Raiders in the regular season, and it is going to be an excellent test for the new-look defense.
If the Raiders can get better on the defensive side of the ball, they are going to be a playoff contender in their own right, and here are three new starters who will have an exciting impact in Year 1.
Las Vegas Raiders: 3 new starters on defense to be excited about in 2021
Yannick Ngakoue, Defensive End
There is no doubt that Yannick Ngakoue is going to be an exciting player in the Silver and Black, and if the summer workouts are any indication, he could have an immediate impact this fall. Ngakoue has already stated that he and Maxx Crosby could be the best pass-rushing duo in the NFL, and after 21 sacks as a team last season, that is just what this franchise ordered.
Ngakoue has a history with Gus Bradley, plays with an incredible motor, and has already taken a leadership role in his first season with the team. He is going to take a lot of pressure off of Maxx Crosby, which will help even out the pass rush, and that is going to have a ripple effect across the rest of this defense.