The Raiders have an interesting roster going into 2023. They are pretty weak and inexperienced at a few spots, such as defensive tackle, linebacker, and cornerback. But there are a few positions where they are absolutely loaded with top-end talent.
So that begs the question; what position is the strongest for the Raiders going into the season? In a recent article by ESPN, Mike Clay Jr. and Seth Walder ranked all 32 rosters heading into the 2023 season. They named every team’s strengths, weaknesses, and biggest X-factor going into the year.
For the Raiders, their biggest strength is their EDGE group. Here is what Clay had to say about Crosby and company entering the season:
Maxx Crosby (37.5 sacks during his first four seasons) has emerged as one of the league’s best pass-rushers. Chandler Jones, 33, wasn’t quite as dominant as usual in 2022, but he’s still a difference-maker. Even if Jones takes another step back, waiting in the wings is first-round rookie Tyree Wilson.
It’s hard to argue that the Raiders don’t have one of the best EDGE groups in the NFL. Crosby is a superstar and Jones still has flashes of greatness at this stage of his career. If Wilson can make an impact right away, the Raiders could have one of the league’s best pass-rushing units this season.
Even if Wilson doesn’t make a big impact as a rookie, Crosby and Jones alone are good enough to wreak havoc on offenses. The rest of the defense is a bit of a concern, but the pass-rush duo of Crosby and Jones is as good as it gets.
