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The new regime has committed to building the trenches. Pete Carroll loves to run the ball and in order to do it, they need to make sure there is strong blocking up front. They also want to make sure new QB Geno Smith has ample protection with which to work.
Adding some talent to the offensive line will help in both these endeavors. The Raiders have nine picks in this draft and should be thinking when each pick comes up if there's an offensive lineman who would be the right pick at that spot. Here are a few of the top names who could have the Raiders pulling the trigger on that.
Membou is a bonafide top ten worthy talent in this draft. Taking him at six overall could make sense. Even with DJ Glaze in place there, Membou could step in at right tackle right away, shifting Glaze to swing tackle and solidifying the tackle group overall. Membou can play either side, so he could potentially shift to the left side in future years should they wish to move him over.
Landing Booker at 37 would be a huge get. He is the best guard in this draft with a rare combination of pass blocking and power in the run game. The 6-5, 321-pounder started every game at left guard the past two seasons for the Crimson Tide. Going from second team All-SEC as a sophomore to First team All American as a Senior. The Raiders are serious about upgrading the run blocking and adding Booker would be a sure-fire way to do that.
We know Jackson can thrive in Chip Kelly's offense. He was a standout on the Buckeyes' offensive line on their run to the National Championship last season. In many cases it's tackles that aren't quite talented enough who kick into guard in the pros. In this case, it could be the other way around. Jackson started 26 games as left guard for the Buckeyes in 2022-23. Then last season when the team lost starting left tackle Josh Simmons to injury, Jackson moved outside and really shined. Showing his versatility to play either at guard or tackle, depending on where he is needed before eventually hopefully finding a home somewhere.
Another SEC guard who would immediately become the best guard on the Raiders' roster. With three years of experience as the starting right guard for the Bulldogs, he would step right into that spot and solidify the Raiders offensive line.
One of the draft's more versatile offensive linemen. At right guard, he was a Freshman All-American and Honorable Mention All Pac-12. He would play most of his sophomore season at right tackle, then saw time at both tackle spots as a senior. He projects in the pros as a guard, but clearly could step in at tackle if needed. That kind of versatility is valuable, along with having the potential to be an early starting guard.
This article originally appeared on Raiders Wire: Raiders NFL Draft: 5 best offensive line fits for Las Vegas
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Adding some talent to the offensive line will help in both these endeavors. The Raiders have nine picks in this draft and should be thinking when each pick comes up if there's an offensive lineman who would be the right pick at that spot. Here are a few of the top names who could have the Raiders pulling the trigger on that.
OT Armond Membou, Missouri -- Round 1
Membou is a bonafide top ten worthy talent in this draft. Taking him at six overall could make sense. Even with DJ Glaze in place there, Membou could step in at right tackle right away, shifting Glaze to swing tackle and solidifying the tackle group overall. Membou can play either side, so he could potentially shift to the left side in future years should they wish to move him over.
G Tyler Booker, Alabama -- Round 2
Landing Booker at 37 would be a huge get. He is the best guard in this draft with a rare combination of pass blocking and power in the run game. The 6-5, 321-pounder started every game at left guard the past two seasons for the Crimson Tide. Going from second team All-SEC as a sophomore to First team All American as a Senior. The Raiders are serious about upgrading the run blocking and adding Booker would be a sure-fire way to do that.
G/T Donovan Jackson, Ohio State -- Round 2
We know Jackson can thrive in Chip Kelly's offense. He was a standout on the Buckeyes' offensive line on their run to the National Championship last season. In many cases it's tackles that aren't quite talented enough who kick into guard in the pros. In this case, it could be the other way around. Jackson started 26 games as left guard for the Buckeyes in 2022-23. Then last season when the team lost starting left tackle Josh Simmons to injury, Jackson moved outside and really shined. Showing his versatility to play either at guard or tackle, depending on where he is needed before eventually hopefully finding a home somewhere.
G Tate Ratledge, Georgia -- Round 3
Another SEC guard who would immediately become the best guard on the Raiders' roster. With three years of experience as the starting right guard for the Bulldogs, he would step right into that spot and solidify the Raiders offensive line.
G/T Jonah Savaiinaea, Arizona -- Round 3
One of the draft's more versatile offensive linemen. At right guard, he was a Freshman All-American and Honorable Mention All Pac-12. He would play most of his sophomore season at right tackle, then saw time at both tackle spots as a senior. He projects in the pros as a guard, but clearly could step in at tackle if needed. That kind of versatility is valuable, along with having the potential to be an early starting guard.
This article originally appeared on Raiders Wire: Raiders NFL Draft: 5 best offensive line fits for Las Vegas
Continue reading...
