The Las Vegas Raiders completely overhauled the back half of their defense this offseason under new general manager John Spytek and head coach Pete Carroll.
However, the team's new regime prioritized keeping the Raiders' defensive line in tact, as injuries derailed what many expected to be one of the best units in the NFL last season.
Both defensive end Malcolm Koonce and veteran defensive tackle Adam Butler re-signed with the Raiders this offseason despite being unrestricted free agents. Koonce struck a one-year deal worth up to $11 million, and Butler cashed in with a three-year, $16.5 million deal.
Getting these two players back is pivotal for the Raiders, as defensive tackle Christian Wilkins has struggled to return from a broken foot he suffered in Week 5 of last season.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) and defensive tackle Adam Butler (69).
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) and defensive tackle Adam Butler (69).
Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
While Koonce is still recovering from his torn ACL, he has been limited during the team's offseason program. Butler also missed several days at the end of OTAs for undisclosed reasons, which caused many to worry about the prospects of the Raiders' defensive tackle room.
However, the team received good news on Tuesday when The Athletic's Tashan Reed reported that every player other than Wilkins was practicing at mandatory minicamp. This means that Butler has returned from his brief absence.
"As expected, #Raiders DT Christian Wilkins (foot) isn't practicing during mandatory minicamp," Reed wrote. "Every other player on the roster is practicing, so #Raiders have full attendance."
Butler has enjoyed a career resurgence in Las Vegas over the last two years after sitting out the entire 2022 NFL season. He has played all 34 games for the Raiders since 2023, recording 10.0 sacks, 93 tackles, including 16 for a loss, six passes defended and two forced fumbles.
Alongside Maxx Crosby, Koonce, and a hopefully-healthy Wilkins, Butler and this defensive line group should be among the best in the league. Defensive line coach Rob Leonard and defensive coordinator Patrick Graham are holdovers from the previous regime, so they should have an upper hand going into the season.