Las Vegas Raiders: 15 greatest offensive linemen in franchise history

Best offensive lineman in Raiders history: 13. Kelechi Osemele

Back in 2016, Kelechi Osemele joined the Raiders in what came to be one of the better offseasons the team has ever had. Osemele signed a five-year, $60 million contract and became the team’s starting left guard. Slotted between Donald Penn on his left and Rodney Hudson on his right, the left side of the Raiders offensive line was a force to be reckoned with.

A second-round pick of the Baltimore Ravens out of Iowa State, Osemele was a well-known commodity prior to joining the Silver and Black. His résumé was already impressive, as it included a Super Bowl championship. He didn’t stop once he joined the Raiders. In fact, one could argue that he only added to his résumé during his three-year stint in the Bay Area.

In his first two seasons with the Silver and Black, Osemele was incredible. He earned Pro Bowl honors in both seasons and tacked on an All-Pro selection in 2016, helping the Raiders to a 12-4 record and their first playoff appearance in over a decade. In 42 games, the Iowa State product started in all 42, only missing six games due to injury, five of which came in 2018.

Osemele was traded to the New York Jets this past offseason, but his three seasons with the Raiders were stellar. He was a mauler in the run game, but was no slouch in keeping quarterback Derek Carr upright in the pocket.

Osemele was a large part of the Raiders offensive line that was deemed a top-three unit league-wide. Although his stay was shorter than most on this list, his time with the Raiders was worthy of a spot on this ranking.