Oakland Raiders’ 2013 NFL Draft Wish List No. 2: DE Barkevious Mingo

The Oakland Raiders' defense has been, so far, a complete mystery.  

On paper, the defensive side is very talented.  Up front, the Raiders have one of the best defensive lines.  Richard Seymour is one of the best defensive players of the decade.  Tommy Kelly and Matt Shaughnessy are dangerous weapons while Philip Wheeler has given the Raider Nation a lot to cheer about.  

The back end of the defense, however, has seen more changes than the Bay Area weather.  

Oh course, this means that the obvious first-round pick for the next coming season would be a defensive back.  However, I am a firm believer that the most important men on the football field are the big uglies up front.

While the Raiders have one of the most talented defensive lines, one would never be able to tell based on this season's play.  Through three games, the Raiders' defensive line has only gotten to the quarterback an embarrassing three times.  

Matt Shaughnessy has been the lone guy that has consistently getting pressure on the quarterback.  Against Miami, he got past a great player in Jake Long.  In Week 3 against the Steelers, the one sack recorded in that game was largely because of the pressure brought on by Shaughnessy.

Tommy Kelly and Lamarr Houston have not had the same early success as Shaughnessy  Despite a great preseason, Tommy Kelly has been a non-factor through three weeks and was ridiculed for his lack of discipline against the Chargers.

Houston, while a great run defender, has trouble in the pass-rushing compartment.  There are times where he wreaks havoc, but others where it seems like the Raiders only sent out three defensive linemen.  

We cannot blame Houston entirely.  I have always said that he is not suited to play a defensive end in the 4-3 defense.  Instead, I would prefer it if Houston was moved to d...

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