The Las Vegas Raiders look like an improved team overall but flaws still show. That was especially true after this past Sunday’s game with the Minnesota Vikings. The lack of an interior pass rush was painfully clear. The edge rushers seem pretty locked in, but the interior defensive line is another story.
Both Johnathan Hankins and Bilal Nichols are injured, but their return should help. The problem is, even if they return fully healthy, the lack of a pass-rushing presence won’t change all that much. The questions will remain, but luckily, there’s some help that could come if the team offers up a contract to one of these three free agents.
Raiders News: 3 Free Agents That Could Help The Interior D-line
Darius Philon
Darius Philon was a member of the Raiders last year before suffering an injury in the season finale. The fans liked him, and he provided a valuable presence up front. He played in 11 games last year, and if you saw him prior to the injury, his impact was felt. He’s familiar with the team, though not with the new coaching staff, but he could provide a boost, and he may have been on his way to being brought back to the team prior to the injury. If he’s made good progress, then maybe the Raiders will take a look and have him come back. Taking a flyer on Philon isn’t such a bad idea at this point.
Linval Joseph
The former Los Angeles Charger has been a steady player since being drafted in 2010 by the New York Giants. He, like many of the NFL free agents who are without a team, may not be the same player he once was, but he can still contribute and help solidify the interior defensive line. Joseph had a solid year last season, amassing 57 total tackles, and even in a rotational role, he would still help. The defensive line needs help, and Joseph could come and help lock that down.
Raiders News: What about Ndamukong Suh? Should the Raiders sign him already?
The talk of this move has been discussed more extensively for the last couple of months. Why hasn’t it happened yet? They have been flirting on social media and through the media, but there has been no movement yet. Suh is not what he once was, but he can still play an important role for the team and would be an upgrade, so why not just make it happen? Suh is your traditional Raider, the Silver and Black, the Autumn Wind. It always seemed like it was inevitable, but nothing as of yet.
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*Top Photo: Chris Unger/Getty Images