Silver Minings: Raiders drop significantly in PFF’s offensive line rankings

At the end of the 2022 season, Pro Football Focus had the Las Vegas Raiders offensive line slated as the 10th-best unit in the NFL. Kolton Miller and Jermaine Eluemunor held it down in the trenches to help the line go from the 31st spot in Week 2 to the top third of the league when it was all said and done.

However, PFF’s Sam Monson recently dropped his updated o-line rankings ahead of the upcoming campaign and the Raiders dropped nine spots to No. 19 across the league. Below is Monson’s rationale:

19. LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (DOWN 9)

Projected Starting Lineup

LT Kolton Miller

LG Dylan Parham

C Andre James

RG Alex Bars

RT Jermaine Eluemunor

The interior trio of the Raiders’ line last season had an average PFF grade of 56.7, but the team is returning all three.

This group overachieved last season, but it’s tough to see it projecting far above average on paper.

Best Player: Kolton Miller

Kolton Miller finished 2022 with an overall PFF grade of 84.1 last season. He has become an excellent starter and one of the few success stories of the previous regime.

While the offseason obviously plays a factor and Las Vegas didn’t make any significant moves up front, it is interesting that they would suffer such a steep drop despite everyone coming back/not losing anyone in free agency or to retirement. The only other team to suffer a steeper drop was the San Francisco 49ers, who fell 11 spots and lost starting right tackle Mike McGlinchey.

There’s no doubt that the Raiders can improve on their interior three offensive linemen, but more continuity together should count for something and halt their slide down the rankings at least a little more than what Monson is projecting, in my opinion. We’ll see how it all plays out in the fall, though.

For those curious, the Kansas City Chiefs were the top dog in the AFC West coming in at No. 3 overall with the Los Angeles Chargers sitting at nine and the Denver Broncos ranking 11th.

In other Raiders’ links:

• Is Drake Thomas worth the hype?: a film breakdown of the undrafted free agent’s game as he’s been receiving a lot of love during OTAs and minicamp.
• ‘Learn from your mistakes’: Silver and Black Pride’s Ray Aspuria dives into how the Raiders’ young running backs can benefit from Josh Jacobs’ absence.
• What will Raiders be with a full season of Jimmy Garoppolo?: NFL Network’s Good Morning Football dives into what Las Vegas can accomplish with its new quarterback.
• Big questions after minicamp: Raiders Wire’s Levi Damien dives into five questions on defense for the Silver and Black right before the team breaks for summer.