It has been said to be one of the best offensive lines in the NFL. That could turn out to be true. But if you go by their performance late last season, it’s not a sure thing. The struggled in all phases over the final eight games, leaving some cause for concern.
Starters
LT Donald Penn – 11th year
LG Kelechi Osemele – 5th year
C Rodney Hudson – 6th year
RG Gabe Jackson – 3rd year
RT Menelik Watson – 4th year
I agree with that assessment from the standpoint of the interior line. The addition of Kelechi Osemele is huge for this unit. He is a top guard in the NFL and his addition shores up a very large hole in the line. He joins Hudson who was signed to a big deal last offseason, and Jackson who moves from left to right. At left tackle, the Raiders brought back 33-year-old Donald Penn on a two-year deal after letting him test his market value in free agency. Watson currently has the edge at right tackle and should he be able to stay healthy, he will be given every opportunity to keep it. But that’s a big question mark for him.
Reserves
Austin Howard – 7th year
Jon Feliciano – 2nd year
Vadal Alexander – Rookie (D-7)
Howard took over for an injured Watson prior to last season and started there until he too was injured late. Feliciano has been working a lot at center after playing guard as a rookie last season. Alexander was the team’s seventh round pick. He is a reserve tackle/guard.
Position battle
Menelik Watson vs Austin Howard
Should Watson go out with an injury again, or simply not perform at a high level, Howard is right there, ready to step up and take it back. Watson is in the final year of his rookie contract, so this is the last shot the former second round pick will get to live up to his potential. Choosing who to list between these two as the starter and as the reserve was not simple. A lot can happen between now and the regular season, making this arguably the biggest battle on the team. Barring a another serious injury sending Watson to IR again, both of them will be on the 53-man roster come September.
Bubble watch
Matt McCants – 4th year
The past three seasons, McCants has hung around as a decent fill-in option both at tackle and guard Currently he has been working as the reserve left tackle. But should the team lose Donald Penn as the starter, Kelechi Osemele could move over from his left guard spot as he did with the Ravens last season. And at right tackle, that’s between Watson and Howard. . If the players above all stay healthy, McCants may end up the odd man out.
Practice squad
Denver Kirkland – Rookie (UDFA)
Oni Omoile – Rookie (UDFA)
Kirkland is a massive 6-5, 340 pounder who was highly touted as one of the top undrafted players. He has been lining up at guard in the offseason, but could also play tackle. Omoile is the cousin of Kelechi Osemele. He has been alternating between center and guard which could make for a valuable member of the scout team.
The rest
Terran Vaughn – Rookie (UDFA)
Ross Burbank – Rookie (UDFA)
Mitch Bell – 1st year
Torian White – Rookie (UDFA)
53-man roster projection (23/53)
Quarterbacks (3)
Derek Carr
Matt McGloin
Connor Cook
MUST READS
Wide receiver breakdown, position battlesLevi Damien
Running back breakdown, position battlesLevi Damien
Running backs (4)
Latavius Murray
DeAndre Washington
Jamize Olawale
Taiwan Jones
Wide receivers (5)
Amari Cooper
Michael Crabtree
Seth Roberts
Andre Holmes
Joe Hansley
Tight end (3)
Clive Walford
Lee Smith
Mychal Rivera
Offensive line (8)
Donald Penn
Kelechi Osemele
Rodney Hudson
Gabe Jackson
Menelik Watson
Austin Howard
Jon Feliciano
Vadal Alexander
Bubble watch
RB Roy Helu Jr
TE Gabe Holmes
OL Matt McCants
Practice squad (5/10)
RB Jalen Richard
WR Max McCaffrey
WR Jaydon Mickens
OL Denver Kirkland
OL Oni Omoile
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