Heading into free agency, the Las Vegas Raiders have many questions to answer. Most of them have to do with their defensive front and how tough it is (or isn’t). Fortunately for them, they may found the answer in free agency.
What about toughness, physicality, and stopping the run? How about a no-nonsense attitude? All of them are great questions and DaQuan Jones answers all of them. A free-agent defensive tackle from the Tennessee Titans, he’s a mountain of a man at 6’4 and 322 pounds. Moreover, he’s a space-eater, a run stuffer that can take on double teams. Honestly, what’s not to love about him? Both Maliek Collins and Johnathan Hankins will likely hit the open market. Thus, it’s time to get serious about shoring up the interior of the defensive line. You must be strong up the middle to play defense in the NFL. In fact, you must be strong up the middle to play defense in any sport.
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Why should the Raiders make a play for DaQuan Jones?
Jones was a fourth-round selection in 2014’s selection meeting. Entering the draft, the Penn State product was among the top defensive tackles prospects in that year’s class. However, his inability to pass rush played a role his slide. Enter the Raiders’ defense in 2020. The unit gave up an average of 4.6 yards per carry and 125.8 yards per game. They could use benefit from Jones this offseason.
With Jones clogging up the middle of the line of scrimmage and taking on double teams, the linebackers will be able to fill holes and gaps to stop the run and the defensive ends to win their one-on-one matchups. It’s time for the Raiders to stop pretending to be tough, to stop pretending to be physical, to stop with all the different “motto’s” and actually be tough, be physical and win football games. That could all start with the addition of DaQuan Jones this offseason.
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