After nearly trading for him multiple times over the years, the Raiders have finally taken over Yannick Ngakoue. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Raiders expected to sign the veteran for a big deal during a free agency.
Sources: #Raven pass-rusher Yannick Ngakoue is close to a deal with the #Raiders
– Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 15, 2021
Ngakoue has been one of the most prolific pass rushers in the league for the past four seasons, with a total of 45.5 sacks for three different teams. The best season of his career came in 2017, when he hit a total of 12 sacks and six forced fumbles with the Jaguars.
He’s now entering the defensive end for the Raiders, with Maxx Crosby and Clelin Ferrell likely competing for the other starting position. The team has finally added a tried-and-true pass rusher to pair with their young picks from the 2019 design.
At just 25, Ngakoue is still in the prime of his career, playing his best football under Gus Bradley in Jacksonville. Needless to say, this is a huge move by Mike Mayock and Jon Gruden as they try to restore their pass rush.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, it’s a two-year deal for Ngakoue worth up to $ 26 million. While the exact terms of the deal are not yet known, that appears to be a bargain for a Pro Bowl-level edge rusher.