New Headline: Raiders' Dynamic 3-4 Defense Sweeps With Explosive Pressures
From gargantuan in middle to bigger defense ends, scheme likely to lead to position changes
Oct 12, 2025; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Jonah Laulu (96) reacts after the game against the Tennessee Titans at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images | Stephen R.
Sylvanie-Imagn Images The Sunday before the free agency foray — legal tampering period began on March 9 — I explored how the linebackers will operate in the Las Vegas Raiders’ 3-4 defense under defensive coordinator Rob Leonard. General manager John Spytek went to work on Day 1 of free agency to provided Leonard with two standout linebackers in Nakobe Dean and Quay Walker and brining in and back edge rushers Kwity Paye , Malcolm Koonce, and Maxx Crosby respectively, to facilitate the Silver & Black’s transition from a four-down linemen front to the three-down lineman look with four linebackers behind them. But in order for those aforementioned names to do what they do best, that group will need the trio in front of them to execute its respective roles.
The two defensive ends and the nose tackle in the middle are the tone setters in a 3-4 defense and that trio’s ability to occupy attention is focal point No. 1. But within that though, is the ability to make plays of their own against the run and pass while freeing up the linebackers behind them to create controlled chaos.
In essence, the three-down linemen in the Raiders new front will be doing the “dirty work”. Welcome back to Gruden's Glossary! Last week, we talked about a 3-4 Defense.
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