The Las Vegas Raiders need to re-tool their interior defensive line next year. For that to happen, they will need more pressure from the inside. Alabama defensive tackle Christian Barmore could assist in that department.
How the Silver and Black approach in addressing their defense next year will depend on what the staff looks like. Even then, the interior of the defensive line has several question marks surrounding it. Johnathan Hankins is a great run stuffer and a valuable asset but he’ll also be an unrestricted free agent. Maliek Collins has turned out to be one of the biggest busts in this year’s free agency class. Maurice Hurst Jr. is talented but we’ve seen how the Raiders manage his snaps so more is needed, enter Barmore.
Barmore has an 84.7 Pro Football Focus overall grade this year and played on 316 snaps along the defensive line. What stands out as far as PFF’s concerned, is Barmore’s ability to get to the quarterback from his position. Boosting the Raiders’ pass rush from the inside should be of the utmost importance. For the 2020 season, Barmore has a 90.3 pass-rush grade. Unfortunately, he’s seen as a liability against the run, PFF gave him a 65.8 grade, so maybe a duo of Barmore and Hankins would be more optimal?
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The Raiders Should Keep An Eye On Barmore
Barmore has amassed an impressive eight sacks from the inside, along with 12.5 tackles for a loss. In that two year span, Barmore also tacked on five passes defensed and two forced fumbles. He’s been described as a motor on defense and someone that gets everyone going according to his teammates.
Barmore’s weakness is in stopping the run and you can in some highlights below. Be that as it may, his knack for getting to opposing signal-callers would be a welcomed boost.
Raider Nation, what are your thoughts on Barmore? Any prospects you’d like us to check out, please let us know in the comments section below!
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*Top Photo: Robert Sutton/Crimson Tide Photos/UA Athletics
*YouTube Channel: Lucas Minton