Raiders News and Rumors: OL, Derek Carr, Agholor, and more

Raiders News and Rumors: OL, Derek Carr, Agholor, and more

Denzelle Good a Potential Replacement at Right Guard, Right Tackle?

Jon Gruden recently gave high praise to Denzelle Good, the versatile offensive lineman who became a plug-in component at left guard and right tackle through the 2020 term.

"“He might be the unsung hero of our team,” Gruden said. “He really is. Playing right tackle in the heat of the battle in Carolina without any reps and then doing it against the New Orleans Saints on Monday Night Football. Moving back to left guard and not only playing two positions but playing them well, and he is a physical presence."

While Good stepped into starting roles and filled in well, let’s keep his 2020 performance in perspective. According to Pro Football Focus, he allowed 29 pressures (second-most on the team) and seven quarterback hits (most on the team).

Sure, in spots, Good played well, but he’s not a shoo-in starter yet. With a full offseason, the 29-year-old could show improvement, but the Raiders should be wary about cutting a player to slot him into a first-string position, though that seems like an option on the table, according to Tafur:

"“The Raiders have invested a lot of money in their offensive line, and Gruden could decide to keep the whole gang of Kolton Miller, Incognito, Rodney Hudson, Gabe Jackson and Brown together — for the tidy combined salary-cap hit of $47 million next season. Or they could re-sign Denzelle Good for one of those spots on the right side.”"

Although Good played left guard this past season, pay attention to what Tafur wrote in the last line above. The six-year veteran could take on one of the spots on the right, which raises questions about Brown and Gabe Jackson. The latter has a non-guaranteed $9.6 million cap hit in 2021.

The Raiders should find a way to sign Good but keep him in a reserve role unless he wins an open competition for a position during training camp.