K'Lavon Chaisson #45 of the Jacksonville Jaguars
The Las Vegas Raiders, once boasting a healthy roster, have started facing some early injury challenges. Defensive end Malcolm Koonce has already been placed on injured reserve, and rookie Tyree Wilson was forced to leave the Week 1 game against the Los Angeles Chargers with a knee injury. With depth on the defensive line now in question, the Raiders are turning to outside help.
According to a September 10 report from NFL insider Jordan Schultz, the Raiders have signed former Jacksonville Jaguars first-round pick K’Lavon Chaisson to help fortify their defensive front.
Sources: The #Raiders are expected to sign former #Jaguars 1st-round pick K'Lavon Chaisson.
Las Vegas has been dealing with injuries to Malcolm Koonce and Tyree Wilson. pic.twitter.com/FShifB2N8N
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) September 10, 2024
Chaisson entered the NFL as the 20th overall pick in 2020, but his time with the Jaguars was underwhelming. Over four seasons, he recorded just 5.0 sacks and never lived up to his first-round expectations. After being released by the Carolina Panthers this offseason, Chaisson now gets a fresh start in Las Vegas.
While Chaisson has mostly played as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense, the Raiders are expected to use him as a defensive end in their 4-3 scheme. However, he’s not known for his pass-rushing prowess, having only recorded 9.5 sacks over three seasons in college. His athleticism made him a first-round pick, but he has yet to make a significant impact at the NFL level. The Raiders are hoping that with proper coaching, Chaisson can tap into his potential and provide much-needed depth.
Raiders’ Defensive End Concerns
Chaisson’s signing helps address a depth issue, but he alone may not be enough to solve the Raiders’ defensive end woes. His career has been marked by inconsistency, and with a Pro Football Focus grade never surpassing 60.0, it’s uncertain how much he can contribute right away.
If Wilson’s knee injury proves serious and he joins Koonce on injured reserve, the Raiders may need to further explore the free-agent market. Options like Yannick Ngakoue, who led the Raiders with 10 sacks in 2021, or veterans Charles Harris and Shaq Lawson could provide a more immediate impact in the pass rush.
Maxx Crosby remains the standout on the Raiders’ defensive line, but the team needs another consistent edge rusher to complement him. The pass rush will be crucial for a defense that hopes to compete in the AFC West, where explosive offenses rule the day.
Coach Antonio Pierce Sees Positives Despite Week 1 Loss
The Raiders’ 22-10 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 1 exposed several areas for improvement, particularly on offense. However, head coach Antonio Pierce pointed out several positives from the defense.
“Defensively, we got out of the gates very fast, just like we wanted to,” Pierce said during his September 9 press conference. “We hit the quarterback, pressured him, and were really good on third downs and red zone defense.”
The Raiders held the Chargers to just 85 rushing yards in the first half, a bright spot that Pierce believes the team can build on moving forward. While the offense struggled to find consistency, Pierce remains optimistic about the defense’s ability to make plays.
As the Raiders gear up for Week 2, all eyes will be on Chaisson’s integration into the defense and whether the team can address its injury-related challenges. With hopes of competing for a playoff spot, Las Vegas will need its defense to step up, especially if key offensive players continue to struggle.
