Offensive line is the only place the Raiders didn’t need immediate help going into the off-season.
Yet the Raiders need some help, possibly in-season because of injury, and especially in future years given that key starters such as center Rodney Hudson (30) and left guard Richie Incognito (36) have the ticking clock that goes with long-time veterans at a position where the drop-off can be sudden and precipitous.
So when the NFL draft begins Thursday night, the Raiders will likely be quiet on the opening night in Round 1 and possibly Friday night in Rounds 2 and 3. But before the process concludes, don’t be surprised if the Raiders add one or two linemen who could become immediate reserves and be trained to become starters within the next few years.
When those those picks happen, they’ll likely be people movers. Coach Jon Gruden loves big, tall tackles with the potential to give even bigger, as with 2018 first-round draft pick Kolton Miller and last year’s free agent signing Trent Brown (although they’re probably fine with Brown remaining in the 370-pound range). Both are 6-foot-8.
Before the coronavirus pandemic turned an over-the-top Las Vegas draft celebration into a virtual reality show, general manager Mike Mayock was looking forward to seeing Louisville tackle Mekhi Becton in a gondola at the Bellagio. Becton is 6-7 and 364 pounds and capsizing a small vessel was a legitimate possibility.
The Raiders like their guards bulky and nasty. Incoginto qualifies, as does Gabe Jackson, the third-round pick in 2014 whose $9.6 million cap figure with no contract acceleration could make him a candidate to trade should the Raiders want to add a pick or picks and relieve themselves of the salary burden.
Alas, Becton won’t last until No. 12 unless a leaked report of a failed combine drug test causes a fall of Laremy Tunsil proportions. Even if it does, with two established starting tackles, the Raiders can’t be expected to draft a tackle, or a guard or center for that matter, if they’re looking for immediate help for a team hoping to go from seven wins to double figures.
Here’s a look at the offensive line picture heading in to the NFL draft:
The big three: T Tristan Wirfs (Iowa), T Mekhi Becton (Louisville) T Jedrick Wills (Alabama). The order of this trio can be arranged in pretty much any combination. Wirfs (6-5, 320) could end up being a guard, Becton is the most physically imposing in terms of size, strength and lateral quickness, and Wills (6-4, 312) is the most polished of the three. “God doesn’t make many like this,” NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah said. “I mean, he is the definitation of freak. To be that big and to be able to move the way he does is incredible.”
Second wave: T Andrew Thomas (Georgia). Thomas should join Wirfs, Becton and Wills in the first round. He’s considered a dominant run defender with correctable issues as a pass blocker. It’s considered a much stronger draft for tackles than interior offensive linemen. Others include: T Austin Jackson (USC), C Cesar Ruiz (Michigan), G Robert Hunt, Louisiana), T Josh Jones (Houston), C Lloyd Cushenberry III (LSU)
Keep an eye on: G John Simpson (Clemson). Started 45 games at a school the Raiders love at both guard and tackle, and at 6-5, 321 (or heavier) has the bulk the Raiders like in their linemen.
Already on the roster: *LT Kolton Miller, *LG Richie Incognito, *C Rodney Hudson, *RG Gabe Jackson, *RT Trent Brown, G Denzelle Good, T David Sharpe, G Eric Kush, G Jordan Devey, T Brandon Parker, G-C Andre James, G Erik Magnuson, G Lester Cotton Jr.,
Last five drafts: T Kolton Miller, UCLA (1/15 in 2018), T Brandon Parker, North Carolina A&T (3/65 in 2018), T David Sharpe, Florida (4/129 in 2017), T Jylan Ware, Alabama State (7/231 in 2017), G Jon Feliciano, Miami (4/128 in 2015), T Vadal Alexander, LSU (7/234 in 2016), G Anthony Morris, Tennessee State (7/218 in 2015).
Quotable: “I feel I’m the most dominant left tackle in this draft. You wouldn’t go wrong picking me. The tape shows it. It shows that I finish almost every play. It’s as simple as that,” Louisville tackle Mekhi Becton.
