On paper, Bilal Nichols and Johnathan Hankins are penciled in as the starters at the three-technique and nose tackle spots, respectively, at defensive tackle for the Las Vegas Raiders. The veteran pair are atop a group of six other players vying for starts, if not snaps, at the defensive tackle spots.
Raiders general manager Dave Ziegler did a tremendous job buoying the depth at the particular position group during free agency and last month’s NFL Draft. Nichols is one of four defensive tackles brought in via free agency (Andrew Billings, Vernon Butler, and Kyle Pecko were the other three).