The Las Vegas Raiders are in a challenging position regarding their pass rush, despite having standout Maxx Crosby on their roster. Currently, the team ranks low in the NFL for sacks, a situation exacerbated by the injury of Malcolm Koonce before the 2024 season commenced. This injury has highlighted the lack of depth in the Raiders' edge-rushing department. As Koonce is expected to enter free agency, the Raiders find themselves with a significant amount of cap space that could allow them to address this deficiency.
Among potential targets for Las Vegas are several under-the-radar pass rushers who could significantly bolster their defensive line. Azeez Ojulari from the New York Giants is a prime candidate. Although injuries have hampered his performance in recent seasons, Ojulari had shown promise with 28 tackles and six sacks before being placed on injured reserve this year. His previous seasons indicate he could be a valuable asset if he can remain healthy.
Another option is Joseph Ossai of the Cincinnati Bengals. While Trey Hendrickson garners most of the attention on the Bengals' defensive line, Ossai has quietly made a name for himself with 42 tackles and 4.5 sacks this season. At just 24 years old, he has room to grow and could complement Crosby well, especially if Koonce is retained.
Lastly, Dayo Odeyingbo from the Indianapolis Colts presents a compelling case as a sleeper pick. He has demonstrated solid performance with 28 tackles and three sacks this season, along with a notable number of quarterback hits. At 25, he still has potential to develop further and could be a strong addition to the Raiders' defensive line.
