With the 2020 NFL Draft in the past, a big question remains for the Las Vegas Raiders, and that is the status of Gabe Jackson.
If any one player had reason to be nervous about the 2020 NFL Draft weekend, it was Las Vegas Raiders starting right guard, Gabe Jackson. Rumors had been swirling that the team planned to move on from him, not due to his skill, but due to the fact he has struggled with injuries, and carries a big cap number.
The Raiders made a big splash early in the fourth round, selecting Clemson offensive guard John Simpson, adding another Clemson player to their already solid group. To emphasize how big this pick was, it was done through a manner in which the Raiders are not particularly known, which is trading up in the draft.
This showed that the Raiders not only valued Simpson, but had a need at the position group.
With nagging injuries over the last two seasons, and carrying a $9,6 million cap hit over the next three, it seems this pick could mean the end of Jackson with the Raiders. He has been rumored to be on the trade block, or a possible release candidate since last season.
Interestingly enough, the Raiders came out post-draft and declared Jackson is a starter. However, things change once camp or constructing that 55-man roster comes into play.
Although the pick of Simpson is one in which Jackson has to be sweating a bit, there is another possibility here, which may save Jackson’s Raider tenure, that being Richie Incognito. Incognito, the former Pro-Bowl guard is soon to be 37-years-old. Sure he is entrenched as a day one starter in 2020, but beyond that, nothing is guaranteed.
With the Raiders preaching an importance on protecting the quarterback, this pick could be for future purposes as opposed to the now.
The logic here would be to see how this plays out in camp, if there is one, and see if Jackson is worth keeping. After missing some time in 2019 with a sore knee, it seems Jackson is fully healthy at this point. Nevertheless, Jackson has the upper hand being a veteran in a system he is 100% familiar with.
However, Simpson is no ordinary guard.
Despite falling to the fourth round, Simpson was a leader at Clemson, and he was also the only offensive guard to be named a consensus All-American in 2019. He could factor into the Raiders plans sooner rather than later, as his strength and length give him the advantage on nearly every match up. Nabbing the All-American in the fourth round was shrewd business on the Raiders part.
The 2020 off-season will be one worth monitoring, especially if you are Gabe Jackson. Despite being named the starter for the moment, who knows if a solid trade offer comes in, or Jackson’s cap hit proves not worthy of keeping. Either way the Raiders have a great up and coming guard waiting in the wings, so Jackson has to be on high alert.