The Raiders just flipped the switch.
And the ripple effects could shake the entire defensive front ā including the future of Maxx Crosby.
Las Vegas isnāt just tweaking a few alignments. Theyāre changing identities.
Raidersā 3-4 Defensive Shift Sends Shockwaves Through Roster ā What It Means for Maxx Crosby and the Front Seven
At the NFL Combine, new head coach Klint Kubiak quietly dropped a bombshell: the Raiders are moving to a 3-4 base defense under newly promoted defensive coordinator Rob Leonard.
That might sound technical. Itās not.
Itās seismic.
Under former coordinator Patrick Graham, Las Vegas used odd fronts situationally but relied primarily on a 4-3 structure. Now, the 3-4 will be the foundation. That shift doesnāt just change formations ā it changes player roles, roster needs, and possibly careers.
And yes, it immediately raises the biggest offseason question in Vegas:
What happens to Maxx Crosby?
Maxx Crosby: Scheme Shift, Not Trade Signal
Letās address it directly ā the move to a 3-4 does not automatically mean Crosby is gone.
Despite the swirling trade rumors, the defensive shift itself shouldnāt dictate his fate.
Crosby has lined up outside offensive tackles on over 95% of his career snaps. In a 3-4, he likely transitions to a stand-up outside linebacker role. That means operating from a two-point stance instead of the three-point stance he prefers.
Is it an adjustment? Absolutely.
Is it a deal-breaker? Not even close.
Crosbyās athleticism and versatility make him built for it. Heās flashed the ability to mix alignments before. If anything, the change could unlock new blitz angles and creative pressure packages.
The bigger question isnāt scheme.
Itās whether the front office wants to cash in on his elite trade value.
Tyree Wilson: Finally in His Natural Role?
This might be the biggest internal winner of the defensive shift.
Wilson has primarily played edge, but in a 3-4, he projects more naturally as a 4i-technique ā lining up inside the offensive tackle.
Thatās huge.
Wilsonās length and strength make him better suited to battling in tighter spaces, particularly against the run. His lack of elite bend and twitch off the edge becomes less of a liability inside.
In short: this could be the alignment that maximizes his potential.
Jonah Laulu and Tonka Hemingway: Hybrid Fits
Jonah Laulu, at 292 pounds, struggled at times playing 3-technique in a 4-3. The 3-4 front allows him to operate wider, reducing double-team exposure and allowing his athleticism to shine.
Then thereās Tonka Hemingway ā a ātweenerā when drafted in 2025. Too small for traditional 3-tech, too bulky for classic edge.
In a 3-4? That hybrid 4i spot might be exactly where he thrives.
Suddenly, players who felt like awkward fits look like puzzle pieces falling into place.
Adam Butler: The Odd Man Out?
Veteran Adam Butler may not be so fortunate.
Built more like a traditional 3-technique and entering his age-32 season, Butlerās production dipped from 2024 to 2025. With Las Vegas looking younger, cap math could make this decision easy.
Depending on timing, cutting or trading Butler could free between $2.2 and $5.5 million in savings.
Translation: heās far from a lock to stay.
The Nose Tackle Problem
A true 3-4 demands a reliable nose tackle ā someone who can absorb double teams and anchor the middle.
JJ Pegues, listed at 6-foot-2 and 325 pounds, fits the physical profile. But as a rookie, he struggled holding his gap against combo blocks ā the primary job of a nose.
That means the Raiders will almost certainly add competition.
The draft offers intriguing options like Ohio Stateās Kayden McDonald, Texas Techās Lee Hunter, and Iowa Stateās Domoniue Orange. Free agency is thinner, but names like DJ Reader, Khyiris Tonga, and Khalen Saunders could be in play.
The middle of the defense is officially under construction.
Edge Depth: Insurance Policy Required
If Crosby stays, Las Vegas still needs more edge depth.
If Crosby is traded?
They need multiple reinforcements.
Potential draft targets include Illinoisā Gabe Jacas, Oklahomaās R Mason Thomas, and Michiganās Derrick Moore. In free agency, Odafe Oweh, Jaelan Phillips, and Boye Mafe headline the possibilities.
This isnāt optional.
The 3-4 demands edge versatility and depth.
The Bigger Picture
This isnāt just a formation change.
Itās a philosophical reset.
A 3-4 defense requires:
- Strong interior anchors
- Versatile hybrid defenders
- Stand-up pass rushers
- Rotational depth
Some current Raiders look like better fits overnight.
Others suddenly feel expendable.
And hovering over all of it?
The Maxx Crosby decision.
Because no matter the scheme, elite pass rushers define defenses.
And Las Vegas just put its entire front seven under the microscope.
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