Oakland Raiders 2011: Projected Defensive Starting Lineup

2010 Oakland Raider Defense Stats:

Points given up per game: 23.2 (20th)

Yards given up per game: 322.8 (11th)

Pass Yards given up per game: 189.2 (2nd)

Rushing Yards given up per game: 133.6 (29th)

Based on the 2010 stats, Oakland Raiders defensive coordinator Chuck Bresnahan will have his hands filled improving a run defense that lagged near the bottom of the barrel in 2010.

But he will have to do with without Nnamdi and Michael Huff and without compromising a pass defense that was ranked in the top 10.

Oakland will be forced to blitz a bit more in 2011. Without a true shutdown cornerback, the Raiders must apply pressure at the line of scrimmage. And the Raiders are stacked with pass-rushers.

2011 Oakland Raiders starting defense

- CB -

Carlos Rogers (FA from Washington)

Rogers entered the NFL with Jason Campbell after they guided the Auburn Tigers to an undefeated season, and it looks like the two former teammates will rejoin in Oakland. Without Nnamdi, the Raiders will need a veteran who is capable of stepping in and playing from day one.

Weakness: He can't catch, but he had as many interceptions as Nnamdi last year.

- DE-

99 L. Houston

- DT -

92 R. Seymour 

- DT -

93 T. Kelly

- DE -

77 M. Shaughnessy

- CB -

26 S. Routt

- LB -

52 Q. Groves

- LB -

55 R. McClain

- LB -

96 K. Wimbley

- SS -

33 T. Branch

- FS -

27 S. Brown

Brown is my surprise pick. He will beat out Hiriam Eugene for the starting spot at Free Safety. Stevie is a spark plug who provides energy, excitement, and ball-hawking skills to a secondary in dire need of it.