So far, all the news around the Las Vegas Raiders has been positive, as the roster as a whole has looked good during the summer as they prepare for the 2021 NFL season.
The offense appears to be catching their stride early as Henry Ruggs and Bryan Edwards have been showing flashes in camp, while the offensive line is steadily improving as a unit. However, the most encouraging development has been the defense, as the buzz coming out of Raiders camp is palpable at this point. Defensive coordinator Gus Bradley seems to be making good progress with a unit headlined by Yannick Ngakoue and Maxx Crosby.
Aside from Ngakoue and Crosby, it seems that Carl Nassib is also making an impression this year in camp. According to Vic Tafur of The Athletic, Nassib appears more focused on preparing this time around.
“People in the building and teammates say he is more locked in this season and a better teammate than he was last year when he came off as aloof and disinterested at times. Nassib had 2 1/2 sacks in 14 games last season and definitely looks more active this camp, resembling the player who had 12 1/2 sacks combined the previous two seasons.”
Nassib’s first year with Las Vegas was a bust, especially after the team signed him to a three-year, $25 million deal in 2020. Nassib was a productive pass rusher when he was with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers but now seems to finally be rounding into form after his first year in Silver and Black.
While Nassib generated headlines when he came out as the first openly gay active NFL player, the Raiders are more concerned with his on-field production, and so far, it looks like he is establishing him as the team’s third-best pass-rushing option. In recent years, getting after the quarterback has been an Achilles heel for Las Vegas, so getting Nassib back to his Buccaneers form would do wonders for them.
