ALAMEDA – Arden Key made his professional debut Saturday against the L.A. Rams. Okay, let’s call it a cameo.
The rookie edge rusher played nine snaps, eight of them rushing the passer. That could mimic his regular-season role with Bruce Irvin and Khalil Mack -- whenever he joins the team -- primarily rushing off the edge.
He’ll provide depth the Raiders have been lacking in recent seasons, with dynamic athleticism and bend that helps him disrupt passing attacks. He didn’t have a pressure to speak of – again, small sample size – and that left defensive coordinator Paul Guenther wanting a bit more from the LSU product.