When the Raiders traded Khalil Mack, one of their hopes was that rookie defensive end Arden Key might make the most of his opportunities and evolve into an NFL pass rusher.
Though his performance at LSU had some ups and downs, Key looked good in training camp and exhibition games. Some observers compared him to former 49ers and Raiders edge rusher Aldon Smith.
But Key didn’t have a sack over the first five games of this season. That changed this past Sunday when he brought down the Seahawks’ Russell Wilson in the game in London for his first NFL sack.
In the third quarter of what would be the Raiders’ fifth loss in six games, Key chased down Wilson from behind for an 8-yard loss.
Said veteran defender Bruce Irvin: “I’m happy for him. He’s going to be a hell of a player. He’s been busting his tail. He’s been getting close every week and it was just good to see him finally get home. He works so hard, so he got rewarded today. I’m going to stay on him, keep working and more sacks to come for him.”
On 47 snaps against Seattle, Key had four tackles, a tackle for loss, two quarterback hits and the sack.
Mike Guerrelli of the analytic website Pro Football Focus noted that Key had four pressures on 17 pass-rush snaps, and that Key ranks fourth among all NFL rookie edge defenders for pass-rush productivity.
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In a game against Denver earlier this season, Key was the Raiders’ highest-graded defender, according to Pro Football Focus, and had two QB hits in 10 pass-rush snaps and two run stops.
The Raiders drafted Key in the third round this spring. At LSU, Key had 11 sacks during his sophomore season and 20 over three years.
The Raiders are hoping Key can develop over the course of this season to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks – a defensive weakness for a team that could desperately use a talent such as Mack, who was traded away to the Bears just before the start of the season. Mack has five sacks this season.
The 1-5 Raiders have a bye this week and return to action Oct. 28 vs. the Colts.
