The Raiders have been touted as a prime candidate for acquiring another former Dolphins defensive starter. Despite already signing one Dolphins defensive lineman and having a strong defensive presence with Maxx Crosby and Christian Wilkins, it is proposed that the Raiders prioritize improving their defensive line above other areas, such as the secondary.
According to ESPN’s most recent NFL research, headed “Best NFL team fits for remaining free agents, trade candidates,” the Raiders are a top choice for Emmanuel Ogbah, another Dolphins defensive tackle. ESPN rated several famous free agents and assigned them to teams in a Madden-style draft, but the Raiders did not receive any of the top cornerbacks, including Stephon Gilmore, Xavien Howard, or Steven Nelson.
ESPN notes that, while the Raiders already have two effective edge defenders in Maxx Crosby and Malcolm Koonce, adding a rotational pass rusher like Ogbah might be useful. Ogbah, who had five sacks for Miami last season and 42 in his eight-year career, may provide crucial depth in a division where facing quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes is commonplace.
The Raiders’ defensive line is formidable, but their edge depth is a concern, especially after Tyree Wilson’s underwhelming rookie-year performance of 3.5 sacks and no starts. Ogbah’s experience with Wilkins could benefit the team. However, there is a compelling case for the Raiders to address their secondary needs since elite free agents such as Gilmore remain available.
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