Silver And Black Pride
Now here’s a name for old-school Raider Nation: Lance Johnstone.
A second-round selection (57th overall) by the Oakland Raiders back in the 1996 NFL Draft, the Temple product transitioned from collegiate linebacker to a pure pass-rushing defensive end. And the 6-foot-4 and 250-pound Philadelphia native parlayed his role as a situational/rotational quarterback hunter into 72 career sacks over an 11-year career.
Of those, 29 arrived during his first five seasons with the Silver & Black (1996-2000) with 11 and 10 being high marks in the 1998 and 1999 seasons. Johnstone went on to sign with the Minnesota Vikings in 2001 and compiled 41 more sacks, with 10 and 11 being the best outputs in 2003 and 2004. Johnstone returned to the Raiders in 2006 and compiled two sacks to end up with his 72.
Why the background on a former pass rusher?
The Johnstone role is an ideal one for the Las Vegas Raiders 2026 third-round pick (67th overall) Keyron Crawford. The 6-foot-4 and 253-pound Auburn product exhibits the same explosion, lightning-quick first step, and speed around the edge that made Johnstone a terrorizing pass rusher — and also the raw moldable prospect traits.
By The Numbers
Keyron Crawford, Edge Rusher, Auburn
Still developing both instincts and technique — having started playing football his senior year of high school — the explosive athleticism Crawford brings to the table as a stand-up rush linebacker was apparent at both his Arkansas State and Auburn days in college. And that’s the ability the Raiders would be wise to take advantage of in his rookie year.
Much like homegrown Maxx Crosby, Crawford arrives to the Raiders physically and technically raw. But like his much more accomplished pass rush-mate, the natural athletic traits and sheer will are enough to put Crawford in obvious passing downs/situation pass rush situations and allow him to hunt the quarterback down.
As Raiders defensive line coach Travis Smith noted above, taking full advantage of the explosiveness Crawford brings at the snap will make opposing offenses pay attention to and block the edge rusher. And it’s that similar burst and relentlessness that Crosby showcases that’ll help add more teeth to Las Vegas pass rush. In fact, that tenacity is a common trait shared amongst the Raiders edge rushers as Crosby, Crawford, Malcolm Koonce and Kwity Paye are of similar ilk.
Consistency will be key for Crawford as he embarks on his NFL journey and the 22-year-old is plenty young and can grow with this Raiders defensive coaching staff that includes Smith and defensive coordinator (and former defensive line boss) Rob Leonard. With those two coaching the group alongside having excellent lead-by-example types in front of him in...
