It’s not often a player both gets into the sack column and takes a pass the other way during the same contest. For defensive linemen specifically, taking down the opposing quarterback is challenging enough; tacking on an interception to the day is almost unrealistic. K’Lavon Chaisson made it a reality, though, as he achieved this feat during the Las Vegas Raiders‘ Week 14 contest against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
For Chaisson, this marked his second consecutive week of being what can only be defined as a game-wrecker.
Last Week, against the Kansas City Chiefs, the first-year Raiders edge rusher hit home twice on 22 pass-rushes. With a win-rate of 30%, no edge rusher across the NFL who totaled at least 10 pass-rush snaps beat their blockers at a higher rate than Chaisson did.
The 25-year-old proved effective against the run as well, notching a tackle behind the line of scrimmage.
Chaisson’s Week 13 success carried right into Week 14. Facing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, the LSU alum managed to bring down quarterback Baker Mayfield in addition to getting his hands on two passes; one which was batted down at the line of scrimmage and another Chaisson managed to intercept.
The success against the run carried over as well. Not only did Chaisson once again add a tackle for loss to his day, but he managed to earn a grade of 76.2 on running plays via Pro Football Focus; the 6th-highest grade among all edge rushers in Week 14.
Although Chaisson, the 20th-overall pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2020 NFL Draft, didn’t start his career how he hoped, he’s enjoying a career-year as a member of Sin City’s defensive ranks.
K’Lavon Chaisson, and his career-year with the Las Vegas Raiders
Through 11 games this season, Chaisson has managed to post multiple single-season highs. Not only has he been at his best as a pass-rusher, but also as a run-stuffer. The numbers and analytics prove that true.
With 3.0 sacks on the year, Chaisson has already taken opposing quarterbacks down more than he ever has. He’s doing that by beating blockers at a higher rate than ever before. With a win-rate of 14.4% on the season thus far, his old career-best of 8.5% looks like child’s play in comparison.
If Chaisson was to beat his assignment on just 2.6% more pass-rushes, he’d be beating blockers at double the rate of his now-former career-best.
His improvements are clear in the run-game as well. With a season-grade of 80.6 against the run, only five edge-rushers league-wide have earned a higher grade than Chaisson on running downs. This number far exceeds his mark of 61.5 from his ’22 campaign, which stands as his highest grade against the run from ’20-’23.
The interception he secured on Sunday was the first of his career as well.
It’s hard to believe this is the same player who failed to make the 3-10 Carolina Panthers’ 53-man roster this season; isn’t it, Raider Nation?
As things stand, Chaisson will become a free agent at the conclusion of the ’24 season. With what he’s been able to do this season, however, it’s hard to imagine the Raiders won’t be interested in bringing him back.
But will Chaisson reciprocate that interest?
Several teams will be keeping an eye on the 25-year-old pass-rusher who seems to have finally found his potential that made him a first-round selection. K’Lavon Chaisson should have plenty of options this summer.
*Top Photo: Getty Images/Jamie Squire
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