At 23, Nigerian-born defensive end needs strong offseason to merit roster spot
David Agoha remains quite the enigma for the Las Vegas Raiders.
Heading into his third season with the team after being allocated to the Silver & Black from the NFL International Player Pathway Program, the Nigerian born defensive end was mentored by tow-time Super Bowl champion Osi Umenyiora.
Agoha was one of six Nigerian prospects assigned to NFL teams through the international program.
At 6-foot-4 and 252 pounds, Agoha brings prototypical size to the table as a defensive end. He’s showcased glimpses of the athleticism that made him a standout in his home country. And at age 23 — he’ll be 24 on May 18 — Agoha has the measurables and youth on his side.
Thus, new year, new number, new Agoha?
Las Vegas Raiders DL David Agoha is now wearing number 55. Last assigned to Chandler Jones. #RaiderNation pic.twitter.com/cebqpDh0Ax
— NFL Jersey Numbers (@nfl_jersey_num) May 1, 2024
A practice squad mainstay since he joined the team back in May of 2023, Agoha was part of a group of players who inked reserve/future contracts on Jan. 6. The Raiders clearly see something they like in the defensive end. And what helps him: Las Vegas’ overall depth at the position group isn’t ideal.
It’s a group that is relatively young with elite Maxx Crosby the elder statesman of the group at 27 years old. Malcolm Koonce, who is anticipated to be the starer opposite of Crosby, is 26. Behind that duo are Charles Snowden (undrafted free agent; 27 years old); Tyree Wilson (No. 7 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft; 24); Andre Carter II (undrafted free agent; 25); Ovie Oghoufo (undrafted free agent; 25); and Agoha.
Of that group, Crosby, Snowden, and Wilson garnered the most playing time in 2024. Koonce is coming off an ACL tear and looking to rebound after missing all of last season. While free agency is ongoing and the 2024 rendition of the draft coming in April means more potential competition and depth at defensive end, there’s a window for Agoha to make an impression this offseason.
But he’s a longshot, nonetheless. Outside a preseason sack back in 2023, Agoha hasn’t had much on tape.
From Nigeria to the NFL.
David Agoha’s football story exemplifies the mission of the International Player Pathway program. #BornToPlay @NFLAfrica @Raiders pic.twitter.com/rOFnCk6pLu
— NFL (@NFL) February 2, 2024
On that sack, Agoha’s athleticism was on full display as he looped around on the stunt and rapidly closed on the quarterback for the takedown on third down.
Perhaps Year 3 with the same position coach — Rob Leonard — kickstarts Agoha’s 53-man roster push.
Leonard, who earned the additional title of run game coordinator along with his defensive line coach duties, is no stranger to development and turnover. Especially considering the unexpected shuffle the team made when Koonce was lost for the year. And Agoha remains one of his biggest player progression tasks.
Leonard spoke about working with Agoha and learning how to make suer the young defensive end learns things at the granular level to gain full scope.
“I love David. It makes me take nothing for granted, assume nothing,” Leonard said in the summer of 2024. “I think it was in training camp last year, we were putting in a call, we were like, ‘David, this comes from the field,’ and he was here all spring mind you. He’s like, ‘Coach what do you mean by the field, ‘ and I said, ‘Shame on me, I didn’t explain. This is the hashmarks on the field, this is the wide side of the field, this is the short side.’ So, I sometimes say this line, I’m giving you guys lines that I say. Navy Seals, they say there are no bad boat crews, only bad boat captains, so like that’s on me, that’s my fault.
“So like with him, back to the progression thing, going back very basic, football 101, that’s everything, calls. Why do we call it base defense? Why we call it nickel defense? What’s nickel? All those types of things, so you’re just building and trying to explain the basics of the game. And like I said, you can’t assume it. I tell David, you’ve got to confirm, if you don’t know you need to tell me you don’t know, because a lot of guys will just sit there like, ‘Yeah, alright.”
Agoha faces an uphill climb this offseason, but with two years under his belt on the Raiders program — despite going on the third regime in his three seasons in Silver & Black — familiarity with the pro game, perhaps the Bende, Nigeria native can earn a roster spot.
If not, another go-around on the practice squad is likely in order.
