Oakland Raiders: Examining Pieces in Place for 2015

Aug 15, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders center Stefen Wisniewski (61) against the Detroit Lions at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Offensive Line

Since we’re on the subject of foundation, the Raiders need to keep center Stefen Wisniewski he is literally the foundation. The rest of the O-line is used to playing with him plus he makes all the protection calls at the line of scrimmage. But since he had a bad year last year, the Raiders should franchise him for another year of evaluation.

Speaking of the rest of the O-line, left tackle Donald Penn is back and has a couple of more years in him. Menelik Watson needs a year or two of work because he’s still relatively new to football. He needs to go to the bench and learn left tackle behind Penn because he held up the show last year.

I don’t know who’s idea it was to take a top free agent right tackle and turn him into a guard but it didn’t work. Therefore, I consider Austin Howard, at 27 to be a part of the foundation but at right tackle. And with Gabe Jackson at left guard, all the Raiders have to do is keep them together, move Howard back to tackle and find a solid right guard.

Next: Raiders Reconstruction: Running Game