Raiders Paying Big for DE Carl Nassib Proves You Can Never Have Too Many Pass Rushers

Carl Nassib was cut by the Cleveland Browns before the 2018 season, and was immediately picked up by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. That's when things got turned around.

The pass rusher had 12.5 sacks in two years with the Bucs despite not starting double-digit games or playing 60% of defensive snaps either season. He was allowed to test the market in 2020 free agency, and is now reportedly signing with the Las Vegas Raiders on a three-year deal with $17 million guaranteed. Not bad for a guy who was cut by a flailing, listless team just two seasons ago.

The Nassib signing shows that teams will still overpay to stock up on pass rushers, and the Raiders shouldn't feel the least bit bad about this addition. Having an aggressive front seven can alter games in such a quarterback-driven league, and the Raiders have seen what life is like without Khalil Mack bowling over blockers.

You'll truly never have too many guys who can attack the QB.

The Raiders have now signed Nassib, Nick Kwiatkoski, Maliek Collins, and Corey Littleton to improve their defensive line and linebacking groups. This is a team that also has young talent in Clelin Ferrell and Maxx Crosby fighting up front as well, a fact that has to bring a smile to Jon Gruden's face as his team sets up shop in Sin City for the first time.

Gruden and Mike Mayock stockpiling pass rushers is a good thing. The focus for this team now? Figuring out the starting quarterback situation. Unfortunately, that's probably going to cost them more than $8 million over two seasons.