With The First Pick
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A Look at the Oakland Raiders Defense for 2016

By Carl Cockerham

Dec 20, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders outside linebacker Khalil Mack (52) reacts to a penalty against the Raiders during action against the Green Bay Packers in the second quarter at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 20, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders outside linebacker Khalil Mack (52) reacts to a penalty against the Raiders during action against the Green Bay Packers in the second quarter at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 6, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) is pressured by Oakland Raiders defensive end Khalil Mack (52) and defensive tackle Dan Williams (90) during an NFL football game at O.co Coliseum. The Chiefs defeated the Raiders 34-20. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 6, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) is pressured by Oakland Raiders defensive end Khalil Mack (52) and defensive tackle Dan Williams (90) during an NFL football game at O.co Coliseum. The Chiefs defeated the Raiders 34-20. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Dan Williams

The first thing head coach Jack Del Rio wanted to do when he got to Raider Nation was improve the run defense. His defenses have consistently been in the top five against the run once he gets what he wants in there. And the Raiders are on their way up adding elite nose tackle Dan Williams.

Just from 2014 to 2015, the Raiders went from No. 22 to the No. 13 against the run with Williams. At 6’2″, 330 pounds, Williams is a space-eater that doesn’t get moved back no matter how many men are blocking him. That number is usually two and three, especially on runs up the middle.

That gives his inside linebackers room to do all the running around they need to do to get to the ball. He sometimes gets through the double and triple-teams and when left 1-on-1, forget about it. With improved inside linebacker play in 2016, the Raiders run defense should crack the top 10.

Williams is also a better pass-rusher than you think getting a constant push up the middle of the defense. He walks his man straight back to the quarterback so when Mack and Aldon Smith come of the edges, the quarterback has nowhere to step up. The Raiders don’t leave him in on obvious passing downs but when opposing teams throw on the Raiders base defense, Williams isn’t bad.

Next: Jihad Ward

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