There were big expectations for the Las Vegas Raiders’ defensive line after signing defensive end Chandler Jones. Jones came from the Arizona Cardinals, where he logged 10.5 sacks, 28 solo tackles, and 26 QB hits. He was rewarded by the Raiders with a large contract for three years, worth $51 million. Unfortunately, Jones did not exactly live up to expectations in 2022 when he joined Maxx Crosby. No. 55 finished the 2022 season with 4.5 sacks, 19 solo tackles, and 10 QB hits. If Raiders general manager Dave Ziegler is looking to replace Jones, there are many defensive ends in the 2023 NFL Draft that could fill in.
Well, let’s take a look at three possibilities in particular, shall we?
Tyree Wilson From Texas Tech At No. 7 For The Raiders?
Current draft rumors say that the Houston Texans are not taking a quarterback. Instead, the trending conversation shows Will Anderson Jr. getting picked second overall.
The speculation surrounding Anderson notwithstanding, another name has also entered the mix: defensive end Tyree Wilson from Texas Tech. Wilson is another massive defensive end, weighing in at 271 pounds and standing at a mean 6’6″. Wilson’s film shows he does not bend as well as Anderson, nor is he as fast. Anderson may be the safest prospect out of the defensive ends, but Wilson could be the most exciting. It is possible that, given Wilson’s physical traits and raw ability, he could have the highest ceiling of the defensive ends available to the Raiders.
Wilson finished the 2022 college season with seven sacks, nine QB hurries, and 10 tackles for loss. Similar to Murphy, Wilson uses his size, length, power, and overall physicality to bully offensive linemen. He is a clear threat on the outside, but there is a possibility in the NFL that he could move inside as an interior rusher. Both of these are positions of need for the Raiders. Whether Wilson is brought in to replace Jones or become an interior disruptor, either way, he would be a welcome addition to the defensive line.
If Chandler Jones is indeed a candidate to be replaced, Dave Ziegler has a plethora of options available to him.
Speaking of Alabama’s Will Anderson…
Anderson is without question one of the top prospects in the entire 2023 NFL Draft, regardless of position. Standing at 6’3″ and 238 pounds, Anderson possesses explosive speed for a player of his size. He’s a difference-maker in the run game, disrupts the quarterback, and is athletic enough to drop into coverage on short yardage passing plays. Anderson’s college tape from Alabama puts his brilliance on full display, dominating tackles and commanding many double teams.
He was effective despite the extra attention and finished the 2022 season with 10 sacks. Anderson is likely going to end up being taken within the first three picks of the 2023 NFL Draft. The Raiders would have to trade up to have any hope of securing Anderson. The risk may be worthwhile, as he’s one of the few defensive players in the draft who would be an instant playmaker.
Anderson and Maxx Crosby would immediately become one of the top three defensive end duos in the league.
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Clemson’s Myles Murphy is another possibility for the Raiders as well.
Defensive end Myles Murphy from Clemson is a physically imposing prospect. Murphy stands at 6’5″ and weighs 268 pounds, and he utilizes his physical traits to dominate offensive linemen. He had a productive 2022 season with six sacks, seven QB hits, 21 QB hurries, and 34 pressures. Murphy, similar to Anderson, wins at the point of attack, and his tape shows, as does Anderson’s, that his spin move is near perfection. Murphy has an array of pass-rushing moves but isn’t as polished as Anderson.
The Raiders took another Clemson defensive end, Clelin Ferrell, at No. 4 overall in the 2019 NFL Draft. Murphy is surely a far better prospect than Ferrell. Ferrell, who is currently a San Francisco 49er, was considered to be a reach. Murphy falling to the Raiders at the seventh overall pick would not be considered a reach. There is always the chance that Murphy falls, and the Raiders could trade down to secure the powerful long defensive end from Clemson.
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*Top Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images
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