As the Raiders continue to free up cap space for the start of free agency, it’s fair to wonder which players the team might be targeting in the upcoming days. One defensive end that is expected to receive a big-time contract is Bud Dupree from the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Dupree has totaled 19.5 sacks over the past two years despite missing the final five games of the 2020 season with an ACL injury. He is expected to be ready for Week 1 and will be entering his age 28 season.
In a recent article by Cynthia Frelund of the NFL Network, she mentioned Dupree as a possible fit with the Raiders in free agency. In fact, her analytic studies believe that Dupree could add up to 1.24 wins (above replacement level) for the Raiders in 2021. Here are Frelund’s thoughts on the potential pairing:
“Despite losing the last five regular-season games of 2020 to a torn ACL, Dupree is tied for the second-most turnovers caused by pressure since 2019 (he has nine), per NGS. The Raiders had just a 25 percent pressure rate last season, which was tied for 14th-lowest in the NFL. Addressing pass defense — and especially pressure — via free agency (also by looking for defensive backs) is especially important in the AFC West.”
While Dupree is expected to receive a big deal, there are some concerns for teams interested in adding him to their roster. Dupree has never been “the guy” as an EDGE rusher as he has played most of his career opposite of T.J. Watt. He never draws the extra attention from offenses or double-teams that “No. 1 EDGE rushers” see every game.
In fact, a lot of his production has come against running backs and tight ends due to Pittsburgh’s 3-4 defense. Over the last two years, a lot of his sacks and pressure totals have come from unblocked situations or on hustle plays. That’s typically not the type of player a team should heavily pay for in free agency.
Dupree might be one of the biggest boom-or-bust defensive ends on the market given his recent breakout. While he is certainly an intriguing option, the Raiders would be better off to look elsewhere for pass-rush help.
