The NFL trade deadline is right around the corner and the Oakland Raiders appear to be in the market for multiple positions. According to Jeremy Fowler, Oakland could be interested in New York Jets' defensive end, Leonard Williams.
A few trade deadline notes:
*Some around league expect Leonard Williams to be next big name to drop. Oakland among teams looking for pass rush help.
*Chiefs, Eagles have shown interest in Patrick Peterson, but Cards haven't been willing to move.— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) October 26, 2019
Williams is among the group of players in the NFL who are expected to be moved by Tuesday's deadline. The Raiders are in need of a pass rusher and they view Williams as a possible candidate to help them in that department.
Ever since the Raiders traded Khalil Mack, they have struggled to get to the quarterback. After having a league-low 13 sacks in 2018, Oakland has just 10 sacks in the first seven weeks of this season — tied for fifth-lowest in the NFL.
Therefore, Jon Gruden and the Raiders are scouring the market to see who they can bring in to provide a spark on their defense. However, Williams may best be suited as a defensive tackle for the Raiders; not a defensive end.
Paul Guenther, the Raiders defensive coordinator, has run a 4-3 scheme dating back to his days with the Cincinnati Bengals. At 6-foot-5, nearly 300 pounds, Williams is too slow to play off of the edge in Guenther's scheme.
Currently, the Raiders have rookie Clelin Ferrell and Maxx Crosby starting at their defensive end spots. With the Jets, Williams has played in a 3-4 scheme and has served as the team's defensive end since 2015.
This season, the USC product has failed to record a sack and has just 16 combined tackles. Nevertheless, the Raiders appear to be of the belief that he could right the ship along their defensive line. Only time will tell if Oakland pulls the trigger for the fifth-year defensive lineman.
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