ALAMEDA — Arden Key was working out at the team facility this off-season when he was summoned to the office of new defensive line coach Brentson Buckner.
As a rookie, Key, a third-round pick out of LSU, was supposed to be a third-down pass rusher. The Raiders would use his burst off the edge to complement both Khalil Mack and Bruce Irvin. He’d get 20 snaps per game or so, using his quick-twitch abilities in a specialized role as he gradually added enough bulk to be a fulltime player.
Mack was traded. Irvin was ineffective then released.