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Raiders UDFA: Get to know talented offensive lineman McClendon Curtis

Small school star has a chance to stick

NFL Combine
McClendon Curtis
Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images

We will look at some of the undrafted free agents that the Las Vegas Raiders have signed.

Let’s start with intriguing offensive lineman McClendon Curtis of small-school UT Chattanooga:

Size:

He’s a big man at 6-foot-6, 324 pounds.

Money matters:

The Raiders wanted this guy. McClendon reportedly received $210,000 in guaranteed money with $185,000 in guaranteed salary. That’s a big deal for an undrafted player.

What he has accomplished:

Curtis, who showed he can hang with top competition at this year’s Senior Bowl, won his conference’s Jacobs Blocking Trophy, which goes to the best offensive line. He was a second-team small-school All-America and a scholar-athlete award finalist.

Opportunity:

Surprisingly, the Raiders didn’t draft an offensive lineman. But getting Curtis the like getting a sixth-or-seventh round draft pick. He will have a chance to prove he belongs on the 53-man roster with a good training camp and preseason. He projects as a guard, but he has a tackle’s body. He played both spots in college, though most of his playing time was at guard.

Realistic 2023 expectations:

There’s things to like about Curtis and clearly the Raiders wanted him. But he’s a developmental player like any late-round prospect. He’s certainly a player to keep an eye on this summer.