Las Vegas Raiders general manager Tom Telesco talks about making the splashiest signing during free agency
It was very important for the Las Vegas Raiders to kill it this offseason. After barely missing the playoffs last season with their horrid start, it was a miracle they were as close as they were. Now, they have to improve their roster and try to actually make that jump in 2024.So far, they have […]
It was very important for the Las Vegas Raiders to kill it this offseason. After barely missing the playoffs last season with their horrid start, it was a miracle they were as close as they were. Now, they have to improve their roster and try to actually make that jump in 2024.
So far, they have done the first part of that—the roster is looking much better than last year's, and the 2024 NFL Draft is still weeks away. Obviously, there are still a few positions that need a lot of focus, but the Raiders got one of the bigger ones out of the way quickly.
Let's be honest. It came as a shock to everyone when the Raiders signed Christian Wilkins, the best free agent in the entire class. But he fits perfectly, and he gives the Raiders a shot at having a top-five defensive line in the league. New general manager Tom Telesco explained the process a bit.
"As far as like the contract, that went pretty quickly, but the process really started from the day that I walked in the door," Telesco said. "And we saw Christian as a really unique opportunity because players like him usually don't become available in free agency. As far as a player in the prime of his career, he's been healthy and durable throughout his career, which we're going to hopefully continue.
"This wasn't like a one-year contract guy. And he plays a position at the premier position — it's hard to find, it's hard to find big people who have really great movement skills, explosiveness, can play the run and the pass. And what we've seen is that if you want to win your division in any division, you need to have a deep and talented defensive line, so he's going to add to that group. Really excited to get that done."
Wilkins and Crosby together are going to give offensive linemen nightmares. You have two guys who have been double-teamed a lot in their careers, especially Crosby, who was the eighth most double-teamed pass rusher in the league last year, according to ESPN's Mina Kimes. Having a guy who can get to the QB at will means you can't double-team as much, and that will only help the defense play better as a whole when there is less time for the quarterback.
The Raiders signed Wilkins to a four-year, $110 million deal. In 2023, Wilkins had nine sacks, his best year in five years as a pro. The Raiders got him in his prime, as the best is yet to happen, and he's already a top-five defensive tackle.
Maxx Crosby reveals how good the Las Vegas Raiders’ chemistry is in the defensive line room
The Raiders had it going.
