NFL analyst suggests Raiders sign ex-Bears edge rusher in free agency

The Las Vegas Raiders are extremely thin at edge rusher after seeing two key players go down to knee injuries early on in the season.

First, Malcolm Koonce was placed on injured reserve in advance of Week 1, meaning he'll miss at least the first four games. Then, fellow defensive end Tyree Wilson went down with a knee injury in the season-opener that could force him to miss time.

To add some much-needed help at the position, Bleacher Report's Alex Ballentine thinks the Raiders should sign former Chicago Bears edge rusher, Rasheem Green.

The Raiders suffered a major blow before they even took their first snap in Week 1. They had to send Malcolm Koonce to the injured reserve with a knee injury that guarantees he'll be out for the first four games but could also be season-ending, per Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.

The injury leaves the Raiders a little thin on the edge and will force Tyree Wilson to play more than expected. It also creates a need for the Raiders to sign another edge-rusher. Rasheem Green is a solid run defender who could at least eat up some snaps.

The Raiders have already brought in a former Jaguars edge rusher in K'Lavon Chaisson, who was signed to the practice squad. However, he's hardly enough.

Green would be a decent depth addition that could end up getting starting snaps if the next man up behind Koonce and Wilson, Janarius Robinson, doesn't perform up to snuff.

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A former third-round pick of the Seattle Seahawks in 2018, Green spent last season with the Chicago Bears , where he tallied two sacks in 17 games (no starts). His best campaign came in 2021, when he posted 6.5 sacks.

While Green wouldn't be a bad option, the Raiders should first explore adding a familiar face in Yannick Ngakoue, and/or they should poach Tyus Bowser off the Seahawks' practice squad. If neither of those avenues are open, Green would be a nice consolation prize.