While there is a lot of optimism surrounding the Las Vegas Raiders’ offense, there are far more questions surrounding the defense. Aside from Pro Bowler Maxx Crosby who is a proven commodity, there are concerns at every level.
One area where the Raiders could stand to improve upon from last season was stopping the run. The Raiders were in the bottom third of the league in yards per attempt, and rushing touchdowns allowed. Jerry Tillery and Bilal Nichols are currently listed as the starters on the interior of the defensive line, but more depth is needed, and the Raiders have made a move to help with that.
According to ML Football, the team has signed former Jaguars defensive tackle Doug Costin to a one-year deal, who most recently played for the Arlington Renegades of the XFL:
Breaking: Former Miami (OH) and XFL standout defensive tackle Doug Costin is signing a one-year deal with the Las Vegas #Raiders, his agents Hadley Engelhard and James Ulrich of @EnterSportsMgmt tell @_MLFootball.
Costin has spent time with the #Jaguars, #Bengals, and… pic.twitter.com/sJUHL2Itl9
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) August 23, 2023
Costin actually helped the Renegades win the XFL Championship in 2023 and in 2022 was part of the Birmingham Stallions of the USFL who also won the championship.
Undrafted out of Miami (OH) in 2020 Costin would sign on with the Jaguars and have his most productive NFL season as a rookie, totaling 32 tackles in 12 appearances in Jacksonville. He would then spend 2021 on the Jaguars practice squad and has also made appearances on the practice squad of the Cincinnati Bengals before signing a deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers earlier this offseason, but was released by the team.
In college Costin was a First Team All-Mac selection his senior season where he had 58 tackles, 12 tackles for loss and four sacks.
Jakobi Meyers calls Raiders defense ‘hungry’
Hopefully, Costin is able to add to a Raiders defense that is looking to silence some doubters this season, and so far they have looked like a better unit overall in training camp and the preseason. New Raiders receiver Jakobi Meyers has definitely been impressed by the defense so far.
Meyers recently spoke on the team’s defense, saying they are ‘hungry’ and have been playing fast and hitting hard in camp so far. Meyers added that he believes the defense can keep this up in the season, and if the Raiders offense handles their business, the team will be just fine.
