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At the NFL Combine, new Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak told reporters that the defense will shift to a 3-4 base under recently promoted defensive coordinator Rob Leonard. With Patrick Graham running the unit, the Raiders used odd fronts (which is what a “3-4 defense” really means in the modern NFL), but it was more of a sub-package and even fronts (or 4-3) were Graham’s base.
What does that mean for the Raiders’ current roster and, more specifically, the front seven? Well, every linebacker that took a significant amount of snaps last season is scheduled to hit free agency next month anyway, so we’ll focus on the defensive line here.
Maxx Crosby
To address the elephant in the room, no, this change doesn’t mean Crosby is for sure getting traded. That’s not to say he won’t get dealt for a bunch of draft picks, it just means the shift in scheme shouldn’t impact that decision. Crosby has lined up outside of offensive tackles for over 95 percent of his career snaps, according to Pro Football Focus, and is athletic enough to play as a standup outside linebacker on the line of scrimmage. It’s just a matter of him getting comfortable playing out of a two-point stance rather than a three-point stance. While the five-time Pro Bowler favors the latter, he has mixed it up in the past.
Tyree Wilson
Wilson has primarily been an edge defender to this point in his career, but the change in scheme should push him inside to a 4i-technique (inside shade on the offensive tackle). That’s to the Texas Tech product’s benefit, as his skill set fits the role well and, personally, where I felt he was going to have the most success in the NFL when he was coming out of college. Lining up inside offensive tackles will allow Wilson’s strength and length to thrive as a run defender, while mitigating his subpar athleticism and bend.
Jonah Laulu
In a similar sentiment, Laulu is also best when lining up as a 4i-technique. The 292-pound defensive lineman is a little light to play as a 3-technique (outside shade on the guard), which has caused him issues taking on double teams over the last two years. But five-man fronts are designed to take away combo blocks from the offensive line since one more defender is on the line of scrimmage compared to a 4-3 scheme. Additionally, Laulu’s quickness and athleticism should shine through more when playing from a wider alignment.
Adam Butler
Butler is in a tricky situation because he has played some 4i-technique in Las Vegas but is built more like a 3-tech. Also, the soon-to-be 32-year-old might already be on his way out after a dip in production from 2024 to 2025, and with the organization likely looking to get younger this offseason. Per Over The Cap, Butler would be about a $4.4 million dead cap hit with about $2.2 million in savings if he’s cut pre-June 1, and those numbers switch to $3.33 million and $3.24 million post-June 1. If the Raiders could find a trade partner, the hit and savings figures are roughly $2.2 million and $4.4 million pre-June 1, and $1.1 million and $5.5 million post-June 1.
Tonka Hemingway
One of my concerns when Las Vegas drafted Hemingway was that he’s a bit of a tweener size-wise, too small to be a 3-technique defensive tackle and too big/not athletic enough to be a 5-technique defensive end in the NFL. However, those types of defensive linemen typically thrive as 4is, since the position is, at a high level, a hybrid between the two previously mentioned alignments. In other words, the 2025 fourth-round pick fits the Raiders’ new scheme well and should compete with Wilson and Laulu for a starting spot during training camp, with how the roster is currently constructed.
Thomas Booker IV
Booker is a restricted free agent, which puts his future with the Silver and Black in doubt, but also means the organization can easily bring him back if the coaching staff feels he fits the new scheme. The 301-pounder is built more like a 3-technique and that’s primarily where he lined up last season, but he does have experience playing in odd fronts with the Philadelphia Eagles. So, cases could be made for Booker to get re-signed or for the Raiders to let him walk.
JJ Pegues
Pegues is another tricky fit. Listed at 6-foot-2 and 325 pounds, he’s built like a nose tackle and took reps there last season. That helps since Las Vegas’ need for a gap-filler in the middle of the trenches increases with the shift in defensive philosophy. However, the Ole Miss product had difficulties holding his gap against double teams as a rookie, which is a nose tackle’s biggest responsibility. The way I see it, Pegues will have a chance to battle for playing time, but the front office should be bringing in some competition this offseason.
Others
Malcolm Koonce would be a good fit as a stand-up outside linebacker, but Koonce didn’t look like the same athlete he used to be after suffering the knee injury ahead of the 2024 campaign. It still seems more likely that the 2021 third-round pick walks in free agency this offseason.
Meanwhile, Charles Snowden is a restricted free agent and was a good run-defender as a stand-up linebacker last year to make a case to return in 2026. Brennan Jackson didn’t play for the Raiders last season after getting claimed off waivers from the Los Angeles Rams and battling an injury. But Jackson was a good fit as an odd front edge defender coming out of Washington State, and played in that role during his short tenure with the Rams.
Still, the Raiders should be in the market for an edge this offseason and two if Crosby gets traded. A few quality options on Day 2 of the NFL draft are: Illinois’ Gabe Jacas, Oklahoma’s R Mason Thomas and Michigan’s Derrick Moore. For free agency, Odafe Oweh from the Los Angeles Chargers/Baltimore Ravens, Jaelan Phillips from the Miami Dolphins/Eagles and Boye Mafe from the Seattle Seahawks.
As mentioned above, Las Vegas is going to need a nose tackle. Pegues and late-season pickup Brodric Martin could help fill out the depth chart, but some top-end talent is needed at the position. Luckily, this year’s draft class has a bunch of quality nose tackles like Ohio State’s Kayden McDonald, Texas Tech’s Lee Hunter and Iowa State’s Domoniue Orange, to name a few. The options are more limited in free agency with DJ Reader from the Detroit Lions, Khyiris Tonga from the New England and Khalen Saunders of the Jacksonville Jaguars/New York Jets leading the pack.