Aldon's suspension a major blow to thin Raiders defense

Share

The Raiders defensive front took a major hit on Tuesday, when the NFL suspended linebacker Aldon Smith a calendar year for violating the league substance abuse policy.

His appeals process has been exhausted, leaving the Raiders to fill a major void off the edge now and in the near future.

The most pressing problem starts here and now, where a 4-5 team is trying to stay in the playoff race despite defensive shortcomings.

[BAIR: Analysis: Raiders having trouble emerging from pack]

The Raiders got 28 tackles, 3.5 sacks and 32 other quarterback pressures out of Smith in 530 snaps after signing him on Sept. 11, two days before the regular season opener. Smith was a pass rusher finding a consistent push and a better run defender than people think.

That gap could be filled by a few depending on the formation, but Benson Mayowa could see extended snaps off the edge. He is an athletic defensive end with six career tackles and one career sack. Ray-Ray Armstrong could also see more snaps off the edge, though his play is often reckless.

They could also use more of a standard 4-3 look, with Khalil Mack and productive rookie Mario Edwards as prototypical defensive ends. Replacing Smith will mostly involve several options over just one.

Losing Smith compounds the loss of veteran end Justin Tuck, placed on injured reserve after tearing his right pectoral muscle in Week 5. It also pours opposing focus onto Mack, who is the last established pass-rushing threat.

[RELATED: Raiders: Aldon Smith 'prominently in our long-term plans']

Losing Smith for the rest of the season is rough enough, but he’s gone longer than that. The 26-year old won’t be eligible until this time next year.

Smith will be an unrestricted free agent at this season’s end, and while both team and player hope for a reunion, the Raiders will play at least half of next season without him. That means the Raiders will likely look for pass-rushing help in free agency or the draft. The Raiders could look to Tuck to help in the interim, or expand their depth with plenty of salary cap space in the offseason.

Even if Smith and the Raiders are a long-term match, the Silver and Black must survive a long, crucial stretch without him.

Contact Us