​The Las Vegas Raiders are moving toward a 3-4 base defense, though I doubt they will abandon base looks for most of the season, and it remains to be seen how frequently they will actually line up in a 3-4 scheme. Matt Holder recently published an article outlining Rob Leonard’s plan, and I highly recommend checking it out. Leonard has emphasized fundamental defensive principles, but he also stresses several other core themes: aggression, attacking the football, pursuit, and communication. While every defense talks about these elements, execution is the overarching priority. Leonard envisions an aggressive approach on defense, utilizing stunts, twists, and blitz packages, but the Raiders must maintain clear communication to avoid blown assignments, blown coverages, and giving up big plays. Consistent pressure and relentless pursuit are essential, and seizing opportunities when they arise is crucial as well. An aggressive unit can be among the league’s most successful (think Brian Flores, Bill Belichick, Steve Spagnuolo, and Mike MacDonald), but there are risks—guys like Aaron Glenn, Matt Patricia, Rex Ryan, and even Spagnuolo, before his Chiefs tenure, remind us of the potential pitfalls.
Key players to watch include Maxx Crosby, Malcolm Koonce, Kwity Paye, Keyon Crawford (a situational pin-ears-back pass rusher), Adam Butler, Jonah Laulu, Thomas Booker (an elite IDL pass rusher), Tonka Hemingway, and others. The Raiders’ athletes are the biggest determinant of success here. In March I broke down what the Raiders’ defensive line could look like from a technique standpoint and how each player fits into the scheme. That piece explains what to expect from standout performers if you’re curious about individual contributions. Leonard has been clear: “I would like to play fast, even at the cost of a mental error.” It’s a bold stance—leaning into aggression to cause more disruption than damage caused by mistakes. He isn’t built on hesitation, and he clearly wants the Raiders to attack. Because of that mindset, I would expect the Raiders’ defensive line to operate with an “attack front.”
An attack front aligns with strong man-control principles on the defensive line. Attack and react fronts are common defensive-line structures, but an attack front enables the line to fire off the ball, quickly pressuring the backfield. The objective is to overwhelm the offensive line and the pass protection unit immediately, forcing the defensive line to win their individual matchups (man control). Rather than anchoring, sitting back, or simply reacting to the offense, the goal is to maintain leverage, surge upfield, and collapse the pocket or rushing lanes. This approach places significant strain on the linebackers and the interior defensive line, where missed assignments or poor control against a man-blocked block can yield a much larger rush than a reactive front would. In theory, attack fronts represent an ideal scenario, but they also carry the risk of big plays if the secondary and front-seven aren’t coordinated.