Two weeks into the season, the Raiders’ defensive line is stealing headlines. Jonah Laulu has surged to the forefront with 3 sacks, sitting just behind the league leaders, while Thomas Booker IV has flashed elite interior pressure after a camp trade for Jakorian Bennett. Las Vegas has also benefited from the Wilkins release and big paydays for Crosby, Butler, and Koonce, fueling a top-5 run defense early.

Early returns point to a transformative interior rush for Las Vegas, with Laulu and Booker forming a dynamic pair that could lift the unit all season. If the trend holds, the Raiders’ schemed pressure and run-stopping ability may redefine the defense in fantasy alike.

Week 1’s Patriots-Raiders tilt features a rare cross-team tie-in: nine players once wore both uniforms, shaping Week 1 depth charts and fantasy upside. Jakobi Meyers anchors the Raiders’ passing game while Mack Hollins, Austin Hooper, Thayer Munford Jr., Ben Brown, K’Lavon Chaisson and Robert Spillane bring Patriots familiarity to the field; Antonio Mafi, Adam Butler and Elandon Roberts fill Raiders’ interior or edge roles with veteran experience.

Fantasy takeaway centers on Hollins and Hooper as Week 1 safety valves for New England, Meyers as a high-floor threat for Las Vegas, and Chaisson/Spillane as opportunistic depth pieces. Monitor practice-squad movements and how both teams deploy these crossover veterans in the opener for immediate value and rostering leverage.