Why the Raiders’ Defense Might Focus on Eliminating Explosive Plays Instead of Sack Numbers

Maxx Crosby is a one‑man demolition crew. Raider Nation can take a bow whenever Condor rips around the edge, flattening quarterbacks and spiking cleats into opposing souls. But as seductive as sack highlights are, the modern NFL rewards discipline over fireworks. Defensive coordinators around the league have pivoted toward eliminating explosive plays and forcing offenses to string together long, mistake‑free drives. Two‑high safety shells, pattern‑match zones and drop‑8 concepts are not trending because coaches are cowards; they’re trending because the math says explosive plays win games. When defenses sit back and make opponents earn every yard, offensive efficiency tanks.

In 2025 the Chiefs saw their once‑lethal offense stall against two‑high shells. Analysts noted that keeping two safeties deep “cut off the deep supply line” and forced Patrick Mahomes to play patiently. Kansas City eventually adapted by building a more patient run‑game and quick‑game attack, but the lesson sticks: taking away explosives forces even elite quarterbacks to grind. Cover‑2 defenses are designed exactly for that purpose – two deep safeties protect against big throws while five underneath defenders clog short routes. The trade‑off is that you sacrifice some blitzes and splashy sacks, yet you gain control over expected points.

Defensive coordinator Robbie Leonard and general manager John Spytek appear to subscribe to this theory. Their 2026 draft class and free‑agent signings scream “stop the big play.” Below we break down the scheme and personnel plan, why it’s smart, and how the Raiders can still unleash Condor without selling out.

Modern offenses are built on chunk yardage: deep crossers, Yankee concepts and play‑action bombs. Defensive coaches such as Vic Fangio, Lou Anarumo and Jesse Minter responded by playing more two‑high shells, disguising rotations and dropping eight into coverage. The goal: force offenses to execute 10‑plus‑play drives and bet on an eventual mistake.

A rare deep dive from The Read Optional on how the Bengals slowed Mahomes lays out this philosophy: when the Chiefs faced two‑high safety shells, the supply of deep throws dried up and Mahomes “had to throw the ball deep anyway, refuse to check it down, make sloppy decisions”. Cincinnati eventually pivoted to drop‑8 coverage and Mahomes completed only 3 of 8 passes for 15 yards while throwing a pick. The message is clear: eight men in coverage and deep safety alignments neutralize big plays.

Cover‑2 is the base expression of this meta. With two safeties dividing the field in half and five underneath defenders, it allows corners to sit in the flats while still covering deep throws. The corners can play the run quickly because they know safety help is behind them. Yes, this defense can be beaten by four‑vertical concepts, but the gamble is that not every offense can repeatedly hit those throws.

Leonard’s adaptation is likely to mix cover‑2, cover‑4 (Quarters) and drop‑8 to keep a lid on deep shots. Rather than blitzing incessantly, he’ll rely on organic pass rush from Crosby and newcomer Kwity Paye. In essence, the Raiders will trade raw sack totals for efficiency metrics such as EPA allowed. Reducing explosive plays has a bigger impact on expected points than adding a few sacks – and it also keeps the offense on schedule by avoiding quick opponent scores.

Crosby remains the face of this defense. Despite whispers about decline, his 2025 season proves he’s far from washed. According to Inside The Star’s statistical deep dive, Crosby recorded 10 sacks, 73 tackles and a league‑leading 28 tackles for loss. That TFL number underscores his backfield dominance. Even in 2024, when injuries held him to 12 games, he still posted 7.5 sacks. The narrative of decline ignores context: missing five games will lower counting stats. He remains on the field for nearly every snap and demands double‑teams.

From a scheme perspective, Crosby’s elite get‑off and motor allow him to generate pressure without blitz help. Leonard can keep two safeties deep and rush four because Crosby wins one‑on‑one. When teams slide protection his way, it opens opportunities for stunts and interior twists. Expect the Raiders to line Crosby up across formations – as a wide‑9 to threaten the edge, as a 4i on early downs to squeeze run lanes and on the right side to attack less‑athletic tackles. His ability to transition from speed to power should still yield double‑digit sacks, even if the defense blitzes less.

Las Vegas signed Kwity Paye in March to bolster the rush and set the edge. The SB Nation blog Silver and Black Pride notes that Paye produced only four sacks in 2025, tying his lowest output since his rookie year. Over five NFL seasons he has 30.5 sacks, peaking at 8.5 in 2023. The Colts viewed him more as an edge setter than a consistent pass rusher.

Despite those numbers, Paye is an excellent scheme fit. Leonard’s hybrid front will show both 3‑4 and 4‑3 looks. Silver and Black Pride points out that Paye can play 3‑4 outside linebacker or 4‑3 defensive end. His dense 6‑3, 265‑pound frame and strong hands make him a natural two‑gap defender on early downs. Against the run he maintains leverage and spills runs back inside, allowing Crosby to clean up. On passing downs, Paye can move inside to rush over guards, where his quickness is more pronounced. Expect the Raiders to treat him as a movable chess piece – not a pure sack artist, but a player who ensures the edges are set so the secondary can focus on coverage.

Leonard and Spytek doubled down on coverage. After ranking 29th in completion rate allowed in 2025 (68.5%), the front office added proven slot corner Taron Johnson and re‑signed outside corner Eric Stokes. Johnson’s arrival is a statement. Yahoo’s Raiders Wire notes that he allowed only 42 completions on 63 targets for 398 yards and two touchdowns in 2025. He also limited receivers to 9.5 yards per catch and had just three pass breakups because he was tackling immediately after completions. Johnson thrives in the slot because he can match shifty slot receivers, blitz off the edge and even play in the box. His “bend‑don’t‑break” mentality aligns perfectly with a defense designed to keep everything in front.

On the outside, Eric Stokes provides stability. An Associated Press report says the Raiders retained Stokes on a three‑year, $30 million contract with $20 million guaranteed. In 2025 he started 16 games, recording 53 tackles and five pass breakups – his second‑best totals since his rookie year. Pro Football Focus graded him as the 18th‑best cornerback among 114 qualifiers. Stokes uses his 4.2‑speed to carry vertical routes and his 6‑foot‑1 frame to disrupt at the catch point. Pairing him with Johnson gives Las Vegas two reliable veterans while youngsters develop.

The Raiders’ 2026 draft class may define the secondary’s future. ESPN’s Ryan McFadden reports that the team traded up to select cornerback Jermod McCoy at the start of the fourth round because they viewed him as one of the draft’s best corners. McCoy missed the 2025 college season after a torn ACL, but his 2024 metrics were elite: he allowed a 41.9% completion rate and a QBR of 15.2 when targeted. On throws between 21 and 30 air yards he allowed a completion rate of just 29.4%. At only 20 years old, he offers All‑Pro upside. The Raiders will be patient as he recovers, but his twitchy man‑coverage skills could eventually let Leonard play more press and rotate safeties late.

In the second round Las Vegas took Treydan Stukes, a 6‑foot‑2 safety. He starred at Arizona, totaling 206 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, seven interceptions and 35 passes defensed over 52 college games. His 2025 season earned First‑Team All‑Big 12 honors with 52 tackles, 10 passes defensed and four interceptions. Stukes’ length and ball skills make him ideal for deep safety roles; he can range over the top in quarters and rob in cover‑1. Leonard may also deploy him in the slot or as a match‑up piece against athletic tight ends.

Fifth‑round pick Dalton Johnson brings physicality. The Raiders’ biography lists him at 5‑foot‑11, 198 pounds and notes he played 50 games at Arizona, racking up 286 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, three sacks, five interceptions, 10 passes defensed and seven forced fumbles. Johnson’s 97 tackles in 2025 ranked 11th nationally among defensive backs. He’s a Swiss‑army knife who can play strong safety, nickel and special teams. Expect him to carve out a role in sub‑packages as a robber or insert defender against run‑heavy sets.

The secondary’s youth movement continues with fifth‑round corner Hezekiah Masses. Raiders.com highlights his productive college career: over 49 games he amassed 152 tackles, 7 interceptions and 25 passes defensed. In 2025 at Cal he posted 47 tackles, 5 interceptions and 13 passes defensed, earning second‑team All‑America honors. His 13 passes defensed ranked tied for second in the nation and he was one of only two FBS players with 10+ passes defensed and 5+ interceptions. At 6‑1 he brings length and ball skills to contest vertical routes. Masses may start on special teams, but his knack for finding the ball could eventually push him into the rotation.

Focusing on eliminating explosive plays is not without drawbacks. Keeping safeties deep can concede rushing yards and short completions. In cover‑2, the defense is vulnerable to four verticals and gap‑scheme runs when the box is light. The Raiders’ 2025 run defense ranked middle of the pack, and playing two‑high could exacerbate that. Leonard must counter with run‑fit discipline and varied fronts. Using Paye and Crosby to set hard edges while linebackers fit aggressively can mitigate light boxes.

Another weakness: drop‑8 and zone shells can give quarterbacks time. Organic pass rush is critical. If Crosby is double‑teamed and Paye’s pass‑rush production doesn’t rebound, the defense might lack pressure. The solution is to use creeper pressures – simulated blitzes where a linebacker or safety blitzes while a defensive end drops. This preserves coverage numbers but generates confusion. Leonard could also move Crosby inside on third down to isolate guards and free Paye on the edge.

Young secondary players will inevitably bust coverages. To reduce communication errors, the Raiders can simplify coverage calls early in the season (e.g., stay in quarters or match cover‑3 with built‑in rules). As rookies like Stukes and Masses gain reps, Leonard can layer in pattern‑match calls and late rotations.

The Raiders are clearly building a defense that values efficiency over splash. With a loaded offense led by No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza, Las Vegas doesn’t need the defense to be top‑five. It needs a unit that keeps games within reach, creates extra possessions and breaks serve occasionally. Investing premium capital in secondary pieces and scheme‑versatile edge defenders signals a shift from the blitz‑heavy strategies of previous regimes to a modern, data‑driven approach.

Maxx Crosby remains the tone‑setter. If he maintains his 2025 level of disruption and Paye rebounds to his 2023 form, Leonard can rush four and keep both safeties deep. Stokes and Johnson provide a veteran spine, while rookies infuse ball skills and versatility. The expectation is that the defense will give up fewer explosive plays, lower its EPA allowed and complement an explosive offense.

Why prioritize EPA allowed over sacks? Expected Points Added (EPA) measures the effect of each play on a team’s chances of scoring. Explosive plays (20+ yards) swing EPA dramatically. Preventing them lowers the opponent’s scoring efficiency more than adding sporadic sacks.

Will the Raiders blitz less? Probably. Leonard’s scheme relies on four‑man rushes and simulated pressures, allowing the secondary to stay deep. Blitz rates may drop, but pressure can still come from stunts and creepers.

Does this mean Crosby’s numbers will decline? Not necessarily. Organic pass rushers still accumulate sacks in two‑high structures because offenses must hold the ball longer against deeper coverage. Crosby’s relentless motor should keep his sack totals near double digits.

Which rookie will contribute first? Treydan Stukes. His experience and ball skills fit a free safety role. Dalton Johnson’s tackling and forced‑fumble ability could earn him sub‑package snaps.

Are explosive plays always bad? For the defense, yes. A defense can survive giving up first downs but struggles when giving up 40‑yard touchdowns. Limiting explosives is the cornerstone of many championship defenses, from the 2020 Bucs to the 2022 Bengals.

Raider Nation should welcome this philosophical shift. It’s smarter football, it plays to the roster’s strengths, and it might just be the blueprint that takes down the Chiefs and the rest of the AFC West.