The following is an excerpt from Warren Sharp's 2025 Football Preview book. In addition to Warren's deep, detailed write-up on all 32 NFL teams, each chapter features page after page of full-color charts, stats, and heatmaps as well as defensive previews from Raymond Summerlin. Click here for a full FREE chapter from the 2025 Football Preview.
While offenses dominate NFL discussion, the other side of the ball plays a large role
With the 2025 NFL season fast approaching, let's look at the defense of the Las Vegas Raiders and preview how it might perform this season.
2025 Las Vegas Raiders Defense
The Raiders were midpack against the run in 2024, finishing 16th in yards per carry allowed to running backs (4.3) and 13th in yards before contact allowed per RB carry (1.21).
Christian Wilkins was one of Las Vegas’ primary additions last season, but he was limited to just five games due to a Jones fracture. His healthy return should be a big boost for this unit.
Wilkins’ absence opened up an opportunity for several players.
That list includes Adam Butler, who played a career-high 858 snaps.
They also added Leki Fotu in free agency and drafted Tonka Hemingway in the fourth round.
Las Vegas did not consistently pressure the quarterback last season, finishing 26th in pressure rate and 21st with 38 sacks.
Maxx Crosby continued to do his part in 2024, getting 7.5 sacks in 12 games while continuing to hold up well against the run.
The No. 7 overall pick in 2023, Tyree Wilson did not take a big step forward in terms of sacks, finishing with 4.5, but his 11.6% pressure rate as a sophomore was a solid improvement.
After 8 sacks with a massive 15.7% pressure rate in 2023, Malcolm Koonce missed all of last season with a knee injury. The Raiders re-signed him this offseason, and a healthy return to form for Koonce would be a big boost for the edge unit.
The Raiders suffered big losses at linebacker with both Robert Spillane and Divine Deablo leaving in free agency.
They signed Germaine Pratt, Elandon Roberts, and Devin White to fill those starting spots.
Roberts is coming off a solid two seasons in Pittsburgh, albeit playing just around 50% of the snaps over those two years. Pratt has been a solid starter at times in his career.
Las Vegas finished 19th in yards per attempt allowed (7.1) and in defensive EPA per pass.
Like at linebacker, the Raiders had a key loss at corner with Nate Hobbs leaving for the Packers, and they cut Jack Jones at the start of April.
Fourth-round picks in back to back years, Jakoian Bennett (2023) and Decamerion Richardson (2024) are the likely starters on the outside at this point.
Darnay Holmes took over the slot role to close last season, but he was not much more effective than Richardson.
They did add Darien Porter in the third round.
The Raiders did bring back Isaiah Pola-Mao in free agency, but they lost both Tre'von Moehrig and Marcus Epps at safety.
Jeremy Chinn and Lonnie Johnson were brought in to fill the gap.
Chinn had a bounce back season with the Commanders last year.
This analysis continues in the 2025 Football Preview
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