{"id":794377,"date":"2026-03-05T18:59:12","date_gmt":"2026-03-05T18:59:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/794377\/"},"modified":"2026-03-05T18:59:12","modified_gmt":"2026-03-05T18:59:12","slug":"las-vegas-raiders-need-to-be-aggressive-with-pass-rush-additions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/794377\/","title":{"rendered":"Las Vegas Raiders need to be aggressive with pass-rush additions"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">The Las Vegas Raiders have heard talk surrounding the possibility of Maxx Crosby being traded this off-season, and possibly when you read this he has been. Despite that, Las Vegas is also seeing Malcolm Koonce slated to hit free agency, and Charles Snowden (while an ERFA) is not under contract in 2027. Tyree Wilson has started to pick things up in his career, but can\u2019t be relied upon as a true starting everydown pass rusher and could even kick inside with the Raiders change to a 3-4 defense. Outside Crosby, Koonce, Wilson, and Snowden the Raiders EDGE rushers consist of Brennan Jackson, who\u2019s coming off season ending foot surgery in 2024, and 2025 UDFA Jahfari Harvey who played 36 snaps last season. The Raiders need to be aggressive adding talent, not only to their defensive interior, but also to the EDGE especially if Crosby is traded.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">There are other names than these candidates, such as Trey Hendrickson, though I\u2019m only going to break down those who are viewed as more likely for Las Vegas to attack.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Odafe Oweh, Los Angeles Chargers<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Market Value: 4 years, 77 million (19.25M AAV) with 40 million guaranteed<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Oweh has experience with Rob Leonard, and also worked with new Raiders safeties coach Matt Robinson. Oweh is coming off a 2025 season with a 17% win rate, 51 pressures, 7.5 sacks, 38 tackles, 18 QB hits, and 9 TFL. He\u2019s posted 7+ sacks in the last two seasons with nine TFL also. Oweh has 50+ pressures in four of his five NFL seasons, posting 46 in the lone other season. The 6\u20195, 257-pound 27 year old won\u2019t turn 28 till December, and Oweh also has experience in the 3-4 system as a 2 point pass rusher that Las Vegas will be searching for this off-season. Oweh will be expensive, and could reunite with Jesse Minter in Baltimore, but he\u2019s shown consistent pass rush traits, is a quality run defender, and would provide a boost for Las Vegas\u2019 pass rush with, or without Crosby.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Jaelan Phillips, Philadelphia Eagles<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Market Value: 2 years, 30 million (15M AAV) with 20.1 million guaranteed<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">The Eagles acquired Phillips at the deadline, and he\u2019s expected to walk this off-season as well after posing an 18% win rate, 76 pressures, 5 sacks, 7 for loss, and 15 QB hits. Phillips has a career high of 8.5 sacks, but also has connection with Raiders defensive coordinator Rob Leonard from their time with the Dolphins. Phillips has logged 70+ pressures in two of his five seasons, and at 26 years old, has also struggled with injures playing just 366 snaps in 2023 and 134 in 2024. Additionally, Phillips is slightly inconsistent as a run defender, with his win rate jumping across the board. Phillips has yet to record a pass rush win rate below 16% and he\u2019s a consistent player, though with injuries his market value will be lower till he can consistently play high level snaps in multiple seasons.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Boye Mafe, Seattle Seahawks<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Market Value: 3 years, 49 million (16.3M AAV) with 30 million guaranteed<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">If you\u2019re searching for consistency in free agency, Mafe is pretty much as consistent as you can find. He\u2019s posted a 13% pass rush win rate each of the last three seasons, and 45 pressures or more in each of the last three also. Mafe is coming off a 2025 season where he logged 44 pressures, 2 sacks, four tackles for loss, four QB hits, and five breakups. He saw his snap counts fall in 2025 largely in part to Seattle rotating their pass rushers between Mafe, Derick Hall, Uchenna Nwosu, and DeMarcus Lawrence. Mafe saw his most productive season in 2023 starting 16 games with 815 snaps posting 18 QB hits, 9.5 sacks, six breakups, three forced fumbles, and 57 pressures. Mafe is a true second pass rusher, and Las Vegas would be smart to add the 6\u20194, 261-pound 27 year old as a potential second pass rusher for the team.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Khalil Mack, Los Angeles Chargers<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Market Value: 1 year, 14 million with 12 million guaranteed<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">The 9-time Pro Bowler, 3-time All Pro, former Raiders defensive player of the year, and the All-2010s Hall Of Fame team is slated to hit the market this off-season and Las Vegas could seek a reunion though it\u2019ll remain if Mack wants to go to a non contender. Mack is coming off a 2025 season with 5.5 sacks, 32 tackles, six TFL, 13 QB hits, 4 forced fumbles, 42 pressures, and a 14% pass rush win rate. Mack will likely be highly sought after as a second pass rusher who can raise the floor of a teams pass rush unit. Mack has never logged a season below 55 pressures (outside a 2021 season where he was injured) and while he\u2019s not the same player the last two seasons he\u2019s still been highly productive and a two way impact player against the run and as a pass rusher. Will Mack be interested as a potential veteran sendoff remains to be seen, and would Las Vegas pursue a veteran with a limited 2 years at most remaining is hard to see coming.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">K\u2019Lavon Chaisson, New England Patriots<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Market Value: 3 years, 50 million (16.6M AAV) with 34 million guaranteed<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Chaisson has experience with Rob Leonard, who helped turn his career around in 2024 with the Raiders and the 26 year old is coming off an exceptional 2025 season where he logged 835 snaps for the AFC champion Patriots. The 6\u20193, 245 pound pass rusher posted 74 pressures, 12% win rate, 10.5 sacks, 14 tackles for loss, and 22 quarterback hits. Chaisson performed well above expectation for New England, and he\u2019s going to cash in this off-season. Chaisson doesn\u2019t have a long track record with his career almost being over in 2024 prior to signing with Las Vegas, but he\u2019s bounced back and shown an ability to play as a pass rusher though he struggles vs the run which could limit his contract (41% missed tackle rate in 2025). Chaisson\u2019s could return to Las Vegas with Leonard &amp; possibly Maxx Crosby.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Kwity Paye, Indianapolis Colts<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Market Value: 2 years, 20 million (10M AAV) with 14 million guaranteed<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Paye saw a down year in 2025 with his 11% win rate but he\u2019s shown a career 14.7% win rate through his NFL career and has also logged a career 3273 snaps. Paye is coming off a 2025 with 38 pressures, 4 sacks, seven tackles for loss, and nine QB hits. Additionally, Pate has seen success in his career playing as a flex 7 &amp; 5 technique with 31 sacks, 50 QB hits, and 37 tackles for loss in his career. Paye struggled with injures early on in his career but has only missed 3 games in the last three seasons. The 6\u20192, 265 pound 27 year old is semi similar to Tyree Wilson which could eliminate his path with Las Vegas, though the Raiders could be looking at Paye as a quality second pass rusher.<\/p>\n<p>Rotational &amp; Depth Pass Rushers<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Arnold Ebiketie, Atlanta Falcons<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Market Value: 2 years, 16 million (8M AAV) with 10.5 million guaranteed<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Ebiketie saw his snaps go down in 2025 largely to Atlanta drafting James Pearce Jr &amp; Jalon Walker while also having Zach Harrison, Leonard Floyd, and Brandon Dorlus on the defensive line. The 6\u20193, 256-pound 27 year old is coming off a 2025 season with 25 pressures, 2 sacks, 36 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, and 9 QB hits. Ebiketie has only seen a career high of 543 snaps which came in 2024 where he logged 41 pressures, a 15.8% win rate, 6 sacks, seven tackles for loss, and 13 QB hits. The Raiders could retain Malcolm Koonce, but if they choose to go another route, adding a player who has experience as a 2 and 3 point pass rusher as a 3-4 OLB\/DE is a smart decision. Ebiketie is a quality run defender, has stayed healthy his entire career, and does showcase some upside as a pass rusher to potentially find double digit sacks with a proper snap count.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Arden Key, Jacksonville Jaguars<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Market Value: 3 years, 24 million (8M AAV) with 16.8 million guaranteed<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Key, the former Raider, has a connection with Raiders defensive line coach Travis Smith, who coached him early on in his career &amp; obviously has a connection with Maxx Crosby also. Key has been a productive rotational pass rusher throughout his time in the NFL after having a rough early start with Las Vegas. Key, turns 30 in May and at 6\u20195, 240 has seen his best time working out of a 3-4 system as a 2 point wide 6-7 tech pass rusher. Across the last two seasons, Key has posted 74 pressures, 13.7% win rate, 10.5 sacks, 64 tackles, 17 for loss, 26 QB hits, and three forced fumbles for the Titans. Key has consistently posted north of 6 sacks in 3 of the last five seasons and 40 pressures or more in each of the last four seasons as well.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">AJ Epenesa, Buffalo Bills<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Market Value: 1 year, 5.5 million with 5.2 million guaranteed<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Epenesa has struggled to be a consistent pass rusher in the NFL, having a career 9.7% pass rush win rate though he\u2019s coming off a career best 12.4% rate in 2025. Epenesa logged 28 tackles, 32 tackles, three for loss, 2.5 sacks, and two interceptions in 2025. Prior to 2025, Epenesa was coming off a 2023 &amp; 2024 season where he posted 60 pressures, 12.5 sacks, 15 tackles for loss, 21 QB hits, 3 forced fumbles, and 44 run stops. Epenesa has a career 24 sacks, 53 QB hits, 29 TFL, and weirdly four interceptions along with 158 pressures, 101 run stops, and five forced fumbles. Epenesa won\u2019t be expensive, and with Buffalo likely looking to prioritize younger players, the 6\u20196, 260-pound 27 year old could be a strong depth signing for Las Vegas. Epenesa also has a key ability to rotate between 4, 5, 6, and 7 technique which would provide the Raiders with a versatile piece up front that may be useful to get more players open looks.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Joseph Ossai, Cincinnati Bengals<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Market Value: 1 year, 8 million with 3.4 million guaranteed<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Ossai is coming off his best NFL season in 2025 with an 11% win rate, 43 pressures, 5 sacks, 43 tackles, nine tackles for loss, and 13 QB hits. Ossai, who\u2019s soon to be 26 years old, has experience playing a seven technique role which he\u2019d be used as in Las Vegas under Rob Leonard. Ossai has seen ups and downs in his career, with a strong 2025 season where he also improved against the run as well. He\u2019s shown the traits of being a quality pass rusher, and will be a key one year signing to try and bank on his 2025 season again. Koonce and Ossai are very similar players, and if Koonce is to re-sign it\u2019s tough to see them bringing in Ossai. Banking on young pass rushers with athleticism, who have the traits isn\u2019t a bad path for a rebuilding team.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, Chicago Bears<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Market Value: 1 year, 3.55 million with 2.88 million guaranteed<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">I though that Shoyinka would win rookie of the year in 2021 after landing with Tampa out of the University of Washington, and well yeah I was pretty wrong. The 6\u20195, 260 pound 26 year old shows the ability to play in a system similar to what Las Vegas is likely going to run in 2026 with him playing a true 3 point stance 7 tech that can also drop into coverage. Shoyinka is coming off his worst career season with 8 pressures, 22 tackles, 2 TFL, and four QB hits. Overally, Shoyinka has posted 4+ sacks in three of his first five seasons including 35+ pressures in each of his first three seasons as well with a career high 51 in 2022. Shoyinka has shown flashes of being a capable rotational pass rusher, or even a starting caliber player as he was with Tampa Bay in 2022. GM John Spytek has a connection with Shoyinka from their time with Tampa Bay, and a reunion could happen in Las Vegas.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">DJ Wonnum, Carolina Panthers<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Market Value: 2 years, 11 million (5.5M AAV) with 8.8 million guaranteed<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Wonnum is coming off a strong 2025 season with 31 pressures, 9.8% win rate, 42 tackles, 3 sacks, five for loss, and three breakups. Additionally, Wonnum also has shown the traits of being a productive pass rusher from his time with Minnesota where he logged 23 sacks, 171 tackles, 24 TFL, 11 PBU, 51 QB hits, and 2 forced fumbles in four games. Wonnum has logged 35+ pressures in all but two of his six NFL seasons, and has also been a capable run defender. The 6\u20195, 260 pound 28 year old should be an intriguing option for the Raiders as a rotational third pass rusher.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">David Ojabo, Baltimore Ravens<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Market Value: 1 year, 2.85 million with 0 guaranteed<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Signing Ojabo would be a sole big swing for the Raiders to try and tap into the athletic traits that caused him to be a 2nd rounder in 2022. Ojabo has one year of experience working with Raiders defensive coordinator, Rob Leonard, and the soon to be 26 year old has experience in a system similar to what Las Vegas may run in 2026. Ojabo, has a career 595 snaps and has missed time with injury playing just five games in his first two seasons. Through his time, he\u2019s logged a 14.5% win rate, 12 pressures, two TFL\u2019s, 11 QB hits, 4.5 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles. Ojabo could look to reunite with his former DL coach and OLB coach in Matt Robinson, and with Las Vegas needing a ton of talent on the defensive line, adding a highly athletic young pass rusher with upside would be a smart option.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Las Vegas Raiders have heard talk surrounding the possibility of Maxx Crosby being traded this off-season, and&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":794378,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2065],"tags":[7,1744,393,77335,5050,2455,2454,6,525],"class_list":{"0":"post-794377","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-las-vegas-raiders","8":"tag-football","9":"tag-las-vegas","10":"tag-las-vegas-raiders","11":"tag-las-vegas-raiders-analysis","12":"tag-las-vegas-raiders-free-agency","13":"tag-lasvegas","14":"tag-lasvegasraiders","15":"tag-nfl","16":"tag-raiders"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@nfl\/116178109702281974","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/794377","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=794377"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/794377\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/794378"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=794377"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=794377"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=794377"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}