Top 10 combinations of offensive and defensive lines in 2018

Wildcard: Oakland Raiders

Offense: LT Donald Penn, LG Kelechi Osemele, C Rodney Hudson, RG Gabe Jackson, RT Kolton Miller; Bench – Brandon Parker & Vadal Alexander

Defense: LE Arden Key, 1-tech Justin Ellis, 3-tech Maurice Hurst, RE Khalil Mack; Bench – Mario Edwards Jr., Eddie Vanderdoes & P.J. Hall

I listed the Raiders here as well, because while they didn’t show anything last year, that would justify being on the list, they have the potential to move into the top five over the course of this upcoming year.

The Oakland offensive line was one of the elite units in 2016, especially in terms of not allowing any pressure in the passing game. If you look at the names from left tackle all the way through right guard, they might be as good as it gets.

Even though I’ve been critical of the first-round selection of Kolton Miller, he is still a very talented prospect and almost has to be an upgrade for Marshall Newhouse at right tackle. In terms of their defensive line, this depends strongly on one of their third and fifth-round picks.

Like I said a week ago when I watched Arden Key’s tape at LSU heading into last college football season, I thought he the most natural pass rusher in the nation. Mo Hurst, on the other hand, was as disruptive a force on the D-line as I saw in the country in 2017. Both those guys have serious concerns.

For Key it’s his passion for the game and the resulting drop-off as a junior, while Hurst fell to the fifth round due to a heart condition, I have no further information on. If both guys pan out and play up to their potential, they could turn this Raiders defense into a different unit.