The Raiders’ defensive line, crucial to their robust end-of-season performance, saw significant contributions from Malcolm Koonce and Maxx Crosby, who together amassed 22.5 sacks. With aspirations to carry this momentum into 2024, the Raiders reinforced their defensive line by acquiring Christian Wilkins and re-signing John Jenkins and Adam Butler. This bolstered lineup earned a ninth-place ranking by PFF.com among NFL defensive lines and positioned them in the top five within the AFC for the upcoming season.
On a recent Saturday in Las Vegas, the defensive line convened for Von Miller’s sack summit. Miller, an elite pass rusher and former Defensive Player of the Year, initiated this summit to parallel the offensive line’s summit tradition. For the second consecutive year, Crosby served as a speaker, sharing his insights and techniques that have propelled him to stardom in the NFL. He was joined by most of the defensive line, all eager to dominate in the AFC.
Should this defensive unit continue to evolve into a formidable force, it could spearhead a playoff push for the Raiders. The development of Koonce and Tyree Wilson as defenders, coupled with Wilkins’ addition, will be critical. The true test of their progress will be evident come September.
In related news, the Raiders are reportedly eyeing a high-profile quarterback acquisition. With several major quarterback contracts finalized this offseason, Dallas Cowboys’ Dak Prescott’s value is expected to rise. The Raiders, among the NFL teams most in need of a quarterback, might be poised to make an aggressive move next offseason. Despite the hefty cost, ESPN analyst and former New York Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum suggests that Raiders owner Mark Davis should go all out for Prescott.
“If I’m Mark Davis … I have a countdown clock in my office and that plane is fueled and ready to go,” Tannenbaum stated on ESPN’s “Get Up” on June 28. “And I’m giving Dak Prescott a blank check to go with Brock Bowers and Davante Adams.”
The Raiders may perform well enough in 2024 to miss out on drafting a top quarterback prospect. This situation mirrored this year’s draft, where all top six quarterback prospects were selected before the Raiders’ turn. Therefore, securing a top-tier free agent like Prescott might be their best option.
The question remains whether the Dallas Cowboys will allow Prescott to leave. Prescott holds significant control over his future with a no-trade clause and the inability to be franchise-tagged after this season. ESPN’s Bill Barnwell argues that the Cowboys can’t afford to let Prescott go, despite the potential expense.
“The Cowboys would be more optimistic about landing their post-Prescott starter if he leaves for greener pastures next year, but landing on the right quarterback is easier said than done,” Barnwell wrote in a June 19 column. “Re-signing Prescott will be expensive, but living through years of football irrelevance would be even more painful for Jones and the Cowboys. They can’t afford to make that mistake.”
Prescott, although noted for his playoff challenges, remains a strong regular-season performer, leading the NFL with 36 touchdown passes last season at age 30. He has the potential to remain a top-10 quarterback for several more seasons, making it likely the Cowboys will make a strong effort to retain him.
The 2024 season will be pivotal in determining the Raiders’ pursuit of Prescott. While adding Prescott to the Raiders’ roster seems appealing, there are uncertainties surrounding the team. Head coach Antonio Pierce, who excelled in an interim role last season, faces new challenges as the full-time head coach. The defense, which showed promise in 2023, must prove it can sustain its performance. Additionally, offensive coordinator Luke Getsy needs to demonstrate his capability to manage a successful offense.
If the Raiders struggle, finishing with six or fewer wins, it would suggest they are more than just a quarterback away from being serious contenders. Conversely, if they achieve eight or nine wins but are hindered by quarterback play, the prospect of adding Prescott becomes highly attractive.
