Las Vegas Raiders: Offensive tackles to target after the first round
By Nick Bailey
Offensive tackle is suddenly a need for the Las Vegas Raiders this offseason. Here are some tackles to target in Day 2 or 3 of the 2021 NFL Draft.
For the past several years, the Las Vegas Raiders have had one of the best offensive lines in the NFL, but it came at a hefty price. After two back-to-back late-season collapses, and some distraction and frustrations from both the players and the organization’s side, Jon Gruden and General Manager Mike Mayock have decided to do a complete overhaul.
The team traded right tackle Trent Brown back to the New England Patriots, right guard Gabe Jackson to the Seattle Seahawks, and the one that sent shockwaves through Raider Nation, All-Pro center Rodney Hudson to the Arizona Cardinals. Hudson requested his release from the team due to frustrations with losing along with the handling of both Trent Brown and Gabe Jackson according to the Athletics Vic Tafur.
The Raiders have already replaced two of the three. They will give former undrafted free agent Andre James a three-year $12 million contract extension, a sign that he is going to be the starter going forward. They also have re-signed guard Denzelle Good, who showed the ability not to only play at the guard position at a high level, but also right tackle if needed.
Luckily for the Raiders, there are a ton of talented offensive tackles in this draft, and with the signing of Yannick Ngakoue, the Raiders should be looking to spend the number 17 pick addressing the right tackle position. The first round should see several tackles taken, as Penei Sewell, Rashawn Slater, Christian Darrisaw, and Teven Jenkins all almost locks to be first-round picks.
But there are a couple of interesting developmental players that should be around on day two or three that the Raiders should take a look at. As the Raiders found out last season, you can’t have enough depth along the offensive line, so here are three players I think the Raiders should take a look at in the later rounds of the draft.