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5 reasons the Raiders exceed expectation in 2018

By Brad Weiss

OAKLAND - DECEMBER 19: A view of an Oakland Raiders helmet at the game against the Tennessee Titans on December 19, 2004 at Network Associates Colesium in Oakland, California. (Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images)
OAKLAND - DECEMBER 19: A view of an Oakland Raiders helmet at the game against the Tennessee Titans on December 19, 2004 at Network Associates Colesium in Oakland, California. (Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images) /
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OAKLAND, CA – DECEMBER 4: Center RodneyHudson No. 61 and guard GabeJackson No. 66 of the Oakland Raiders prepare to snap the ball in the second quarter on December 4, 2016 at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, California. The Raiders won 38-24. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – DECEMBER 4: Center RodneyHudson No. 61 and guard GabeJackson No. 66 of the Oakland Raiders prepare to snap the ball in the second quarter on December 4, 2016 at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, California. The Raiders won 38-24. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /

Elite offensive line

To say that the players in front of Derek Carr on the offensive line are good would be incorrect. In fact, the Raiders offensive line is elite, as they boast some of the best talent in the NFL when it comes to all three positions up front.

Their center, Rodney Hudson may be the best in football, and he has been nothing but elite since coming over to the Raiders from Kansas City. Right next to him is Kelechi Osemele, who, since heading to the Bay Area from Baltimore, has become one of the best guards in all the NFL.

Both Hudson and Osemele were Pro Bowlers last season, and they were joined by starting left tackle Donald Penn. Penn has done a tremendous job protecting Derek Carr’s blindside during his time with the Raiders, and if he is healthy in 2018, he should once again be a dominant figure on the left side of the offensive line.

Gabe Jackson plays the other guard position, and he has Pro Bowl ability as well. Jackson and Osemele may be the best guard combination in the AFC, and if rookie Kolton Miller can step in and be solid in year one at right tackle, this offensive line has to be considered the best in the business.

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