What Do The Raiders Look Like In A 3-4 Defense

In February 2026 new Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak made waves at the NFL Combine by declaring that Las Vegas would transition to a 3‑4 base defense under coordinator Rob Leonard. For a franchise that has traditionally leaned on four‑man fronts, the announcement raised obvious questions: What is a 3‑4 defense? Why the sudden shift? The answers reveal more than a mere schematic tweak. They expose how roster construction, player skill sets and the evolving offensive landscape make a multiple-front philosophy the logical next step for the Silver & Black. This deep dive will explain what a 3‑4 defense is, why it’s become such a talking point around the Raiders, and how key players like Maxx Crosby, Kwity Paye and Taron Johnson will fit. We’ll also diagnose the issues that plagued Las Vegas’ defense in 2025 and explore actionable solutions for 2026 and beyond.
It will also highlight how rookie edge Keyron Crawford, acquired after Tyree Wilson was traded, fits into the new scheme. Premium Video Below!

A 3‑4 front features three down linemen (usually a nose tackle and two defensive ends) and four linebackers. The nose tackle anchors the line by absorbing double teams and freeing inside linebackers to make plays. 3‑4 defensive ends tend to be larger and are asked to control run gaps rather than solely rush the passer; they “eat space” so that linebackers can attack. Outside linebackers in a 3‑4 essentially replace the traditional 4‑3 defensive end. They set the edge against the run, rush off the edge or drop into coverage. Inside linebackers share responsibility for reading the run and dropping into intermediate zones.

By contrast, a 4‑3 defense uses four down linemen and three linebackers. The defensive tackles in a 4‑3 are often penetrating 3‑technique players who shoot gaps and disrupt the backfield, whereas 3‑4 tackles are asked to plug gaps and control multiple blockers. 4‑3 defensive ends are typically lighter, quicker pass rushers who must both set the edge and win one‑on‑one against offensive tackles. The 4‑3 also splits linebacker roles into MIKE (middle), WILL (weak side) and SAM (strong side), each with specific run‑fit and coverage responsibilities.

Teams adopt the 3‑4 because it offers greater disguise and flexibility. With only three hand‑in‑the‑dirt defenders, offenses can’t easily identify which fourth (or fifth) rusher is coming. Outside linebackers can walk up to the line, drop off the ball or blitz from depth, creating exotic pressures and zone‑blitz looks. The 3‑4 can still be stout against the run, but success hinges on finding a true nose tackle and versatile edge players who can rush and cover. Because NFL offenses operate predominantly from three‑receiver sets, most defenses now spend roughly 70 % of snaps in nickel or dime personnel. That means today’s “base” defense is more conceptual than literal; even 4‑3 teams often have only two linebackers on the field.

At the combine Kubiak described the defense as “multiple,” noting that Leonard could play four, five or even six men on the line depending on situation. Leonard downplayed the scheme label: “If we play five guys on the line and either guy can go, that’s 3‑4. If one guy is going, that’s 4‑3. … We’re going to do what we have to do to play good football.” The message? Don’t expect a dogmatic conversion to an old‑school two‑gap 3‑4. Instead, anticipate multiple fronts—odd and even—with players moving along the line to exploit matchups. That flexibility matches modern defenses run by coaches like Mike Macdonald or Vic Fangio where fronts change by down and distance.

The Raiders’ roster hints at why the coaching staff feels liberated to change fronts. Maxx Crosby remains the premier pass rusher, but Las Vegas added Kwity Paye and retained Malcolm Koonce, giving them three capable edge players. The trade for All‑Pro slot corner Taron Johnson brings a sticky nickel defender whose physicality allows the team to stay in sub packages without sacrificing run support. Johnson’s arrival also suggests the Raiders don’t plan on playing a true base 3‑4 on every early down; nickel will still be their predominant personnel grouping. On the interior, players like Adam Butler, Thomas Booker, Jonah Laulu and draft pick JJ Pegues provide a mix of one‑gap penetrators and heavier two‑gap options, giving Leonard flexibility to toggle between odd and even fronts.

This shift has become a talking point because it signals an organizational reset. For years the Raiders relied on a 4‑3 structure built around Crosby’s hand‑in‑the‑dirt dominance. However, after finishing 25th in points allowed (25.4 points per game) and yielding 317.8 yards per game in 2025, Las Vegas needed a change. The 3‑4 promises to make better use of the team’s edge depth, diversify its pressure packages and address schematic weaknesses that surfaced last season.

Crosby is the face of the franchise and its defensive tone‑setter. Over his career, 88 % of his snaps have come from the 7‑technique (outside shoulder of the tight end). The move to a 3‑4 does not mean he’ll suddenly move inside. Leonard’s plan is to keep Crosby outside, but allow him to stand up more often, using a two‑point stance to diagnose plays and attack from different angles. This shift matters because it lets Crosby vary his rush path—speed to power, ghost moves, inside counters—and occasionally drop into coverage to occupy throwing windows. The 3‑4 also creates five‑man surfaces (two edge defenders plus three interior linemen), forcing offenses to commit extra protection to Crosby’s side and freeing blitz lanes for linebackers.

Crosby’s motor and conditioning make him perfect for this role. In 2025 he played every defensive snap in multiple games and still generated a late‑season pass‑rush win rate north of 22 %. By giving him help inside, the 3‑4 should ensure he sees fewer double‑teams and stays fresher deep into games.

Free‑agent signing Kwity Paye profiles as the ideal complementary piece. He lined up as a 7‑tech or 6‑tech on nearly 93 % of his snaps, showing the ability to set a firm edge. Since 2024 he has posted the 13th‑best run‑stop win rate among NFL edge defenders and has notched 123 run stops. Paye’s four sacks in 2025 were a career low, but he will now rotate with Crosby and Koonce, keeping the group fresh. Expect Leonard to use Paye at both 6‑tech (head up on the tight end) and 7‑tech while occasionally dropping him into the flat in simulated pressures. His physicality against tight ends and willingness to spill runs inside make him a crucial cog in the new front.

Koonce took 66 % of his 2025 snaps as a 7‑tech and 27 % at the wide 9. He is undersized (6’3″, 245 lbs) but explosive off the ball. Leonard will continue to deploy Koonce as a designated pass rusher, letting him win with speed while hiding him from power run situations. In a 3‑4, Koonce can align wide in five‑man looks or as the fourth rusher in nickel, exploiting tackles who have been worn down by Crosby and Paye. His late‑season surge—five consecutive games with five or more pressures—signals untapped upside.