The Raiders’ defense is on the brink.

Last season, the Las Vegas Raiders’ offense was expected to be the team’s strength. After all, they entered the season as one of the highest-paid offenses in the National Football League. Their offensive roster contained arguably the best wide receiver in the NFL and the league’s leading rusher from the season prior.

It was assumed the Raiders would go as far as their offense would go. However, that was anything but the case, as Las Vegas’ offense struggled nearly the entire season. On the other side of the ball, the Raiders had a defense with no household names other than Maxx Crosby.

The Raiders had one of the highest-paid offenses in the league and one of the lowest-paid defenses in the league, yet their defense consistently produced more than their offense on game days.

Las Vegas entered the season focused on getting the most out of what was supposed to be a high-power offense, but it was apparent early in the season that their offense had multiple fatal flaws.

After replacing offensive guru Josh McDaniels with defensive-minded coach Antonio Pierce, the Raiders’ defense, which had already shown improvement, improved even more. The Raiders’ defense went from one of the worst in the league the season before a defense that was around the middle of the league in most statistical categories before Pierce took over the helm.

Once Pierce was named the interim head coach, he allowed Defensive Coordinator Patrick Graham the freedom to unlock the defense’s full potential, often by making moves that likely would have been frowned upon or were contrary to what the McDaniels regime had done, such as giving Malcolm Koonce more playing time or moving Tyree Wilson to the interior of the defensive line.

The Raiders’ defense finished the season around the top half of the league in many areas, yet they did so despite many of their players outperforming expectations. Telesco and Pierce have wisely decided to keep most of the defense intact while adding quality players at critical positions this offseason.

The signing of Christian Wilkins and the addition of a cornerback and linebacker could put the Raiders defense on the brink of being one of the best in the league.

The NFL Draft will be held in Detroit, Mich., on April 25–27, 2024. The Las Vegas Raiders currently have the No. 13 overall pick.