The Las Vegas Raiders will now have to contend with a revamped Kansas City Chiefs offensive line after their latest addition.
After having a porous defensive effort last season, the Raiders’ brass needed to find a way to upgrade the unit. By far, the biggest improvements they’ve made this offseason were to the defensive line. Picking up Yannick Ngakoue and plugging him into a unit with Maxx Crosby and Clelin Ferrell was going to give opposing offenses nightmares. Well, at least in theory, and now, one team that likely won’t be having said nightmares is the Chiefs. Adding Orlando Brown via trade is huge for the Super Bowl runner-up, possibly negating the effects of Ngakoue’s signing.
So what will the Raiders be contending with?
Ted Nguyen of The Athletic actually pointed out that the Chiefs were busy retooling their offensive line. This makes sense considering the disastrous performance versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers back in January. Adding Joe Thuney, Kyle Long, and a two-time Pro Bowler in Brown are certainly noteworthy additions.
So KC added Joe Thuney, Orlando Brown, and Kyle Long to their OL this offseason.
— Ted Nguyen (@FB_FilmAnalysis) April 23, 2021
Ngakoue had 23 pressures last year which could end up being around the same production with the Raiders. Crosby’s numbers are the ones that figure to improve by having someone that could command double teams. Regardless, when facing the Chiefs, either defensive end will have to contend with Brown’s abilities.
Per Pro Football Focus, Brown’s been graded higher than 72.0 or higher overall since 2019. Also, given defensive coordinator Gus Bradley’s reluctance to not bring on blitzes, either Crosby or Ngakoue could see one on one matches. The Chiefs adding Brown doesn’t cancel out Ngakoue’s addition but unfortunately, it does take some steam out of it.Â
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*Top Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images
