Oakland Raiders: Who will start at DE opposite Clelin Ferrell?
By Nico Di Fede
The Oakland Raiders are fresh off a terrible season rushing the passer. With only one starter locked in, which defensive end will emerge and take the other spot?
The Oakland Raiders are coming off what was a historically bad season when it comes to rushing the passer finishing with a measly 13 sacks. That is only two more than the 1982 Ravens who hold the all-time record for fewest sacks in a season with 11.
On top of that, last year’s Raiders are the only team in the modern NFL to record one or fewer multi-sack games through the first 12 games. According to Michael Gehlken of the Las Vegas Review-Journal, that is the least since the 1958 Green Bay Packers.
The Raiders are also a franchise with the most seasons leading the league in sacks with five. They want to get closer to that record than last year’s.
In free agency, Josh Mauro and Benson Mayowa were the only defensive ends with starting experience that the team added. The team also added the highly touted Clelin Ferrell fourth overall in the 2019 NFL Draft while Eastern Michigan’s Maxx Crosby was added in the fourth round.
It’s a foregone conclusion that Ferrell will anchor one end spot from Week 1, but who will take the other starting defensive end job? Let’s get into each of the guys mentioned above and see who has the best chance.
Josh Mauro
Josh Mauro is a five-year vet who has played for three different teams in that span — most recently the New York Giants. Mauro stands at 6-foot-6 and weighs in at 290 pounds — ideal size for a defensive end and perhaps even a bit large.
His size allows him to move inside to defensive tackle at times and at Stanford, he played inside as a 3-4 end. Through five years, Mauro has only three career sacks as well as 15 tackles for loss and 11 QB hits. Those numbers don’t scream effective pass rusher, but where Mauro excels is defending the run.
Josh Mauro only has three sacks in five years, that's true. He may not give the Raiders a pass-rushing threat, but he's a darn good run player. Can play all over the line.
— Scott Bair (@ScottBairNFL) March 15, 2019
Goes without saying Raiders still need tons of help off the edge.
The Raiders defense was not just bad at rushing the passer, they were bad everywhere — including playing the run. This is where Mauro will help the defense out the most and the reason why he has a chance at starting.
Fans don’t like hearing about a player being just good against the run because it isn’t flashy nor is it something that will get a guy a lot of attention — but coaches know it’s just as important as rushing the passer. That being said, will Mauro bring anything when it comes to rushing the passer?
This week's hard-hitting investigative reporting: Josh Mauro wanted to do the Stone Cold celebration after his sack, but "nobody threw me beers." He said it's been ironed out with his teammates. But with only three sacks in five seasons that's a big missed opportunity pic.twitter.com/Igz0bqyeVo
— Dan Duggan (@DDuggan21) December 13, 2018
In the above play, you can see Mauro show off his strength and arm technique to get the sack, busting through a double team. That is why he’s so good against the run as he is able to keep lineman at bay and set the edge.
Josh Mauro strong at the point of contact. #Gaints @DLineVids pic.twitter.com/Pc9sdRFKaE
— Coach Darrick Ware (@darrickware) November 20, 2018
Here again, you see his strength on display — this time from the inside bulldozing the offensive guard to get the tackle for loss. This is a run play of course, but making plays like this in the running game could get him the starting job opposite of Ferrell.
Positives aside, Mauro was suspended for the first four games of the 2018 season for PED use. He claims it was from a pre-workout but that is almost always the explanation when an athlete in any sport is accused so you never really know.
He also ended the 2018 season with a lackluster Pro Football Focus grade of 66.8. Mauro was a positive addition for the Raiders defensive line, but I do not believe he has the best chance of starting.