Raiders still working on right pass-rush mix

Maxx Crosby still needs help

The Las Vegas Raiders had high hopes for their pass-rush going into the season with superstar Maxx Crosby and Malcolm Koonce leading the way.

But, of course, that plan suddenly evaporated when Koonce, who was outstanding in the second half of last season, tore his knee in practice three days before the season opener and was lost for the season.

The Raiders were left scrambling and they are still trying to figure it out with more than half the season over.

They began the post-Koonce season relying on young, inexperienced veterans Charles Snowden, Janarius Robinson and 2023 first-round pick Tyree Wilson. They signed former Jacksonville first-round pick K’Lavon Chaisson prior to Week 2.

As the season has progressed, the Raiders have experimented with different rotations trying to get a spark. In recent weeks, Wilson and Chaisson have been playing more with Crosby than Snowden and Robinson.

• Wilson has played more than 51 percent of snaps in four of the past six games.
• Chaisson has played more than 51 percent of snaps in three of the past six games.
• Snowden’s play time has dramatically dropped and he hasn’t played more than 25 percent of the snaps in the three games.
• Robinson is barely playing and has been inactive three of the past four games.

While they have all flashed at times, none of these four pass-rushers have been overly consistent. They have combined for a total of four of the Raiders’ 17 sacks.

Regardless if the Raiders re-sign Koonce, a free agent, this season has shown the Raiders they will continue to have to find help for Crosby in 2025.