Las Vegas Raiders: 3 things to expect from the new-look offensive line

KANSAS CITY, MO - DECEMBER 01:Offensive guard Richie Incognito (R) of the Oakland Raiders gets set to block defensive tackle Mike Pennel (L) of the Kansas City Chiefs during the second half at Arrowhead Stadium on December 1, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Peter G. Aiken/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO - DECEMBER 01:Offensive guard Richie Incognito (R) of the Oakland Raiders gets set to block defensive tackle Mike Pennel (L) of the Kansas City Chiefs during the second half at Arrowhead Stadium on December 1, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Peter G. Aiken/Getty Images) /
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Raiders
HOUSTON, TX – OCTOBER 27: Richie Incognito #64 of the Oakland Raiders breaks the huddle during a game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on October 27, 2019, in Houston, Texas. The Texans defeated the Raiders 27-24. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

Las Vegas Raiders: 3 things to expect from the new-look offensive line

Richie Incognito will step into a leadership role

When the then-Oakland Raiders signed Richie Incognito a few years back, it was a move that was a bit of a head-scratcher. Incognito had been out of football, and in the public eye, he was seen as someone who needed to focus more on working on himself than contributing to an NFL franchise.

Still, Jon Gruden took a flier on him, and not only did he prove that he could take care of himself off the field, but he looked like the former Pro Bowl offensive guard he used to be. Had it not been for an injury this past season, there would be no doubt that Incognito would be back in 2021, though he was released, and then re-signed this offseason.

Once considered a problem child, Incognito is now a leader for this Raiders offensive line and will bring a veteran presence to a group that is young across the board. The hope for Incognito is that he can stay healthy, and if he can give the Silver and Black another solid year, then he can eventually hand the starting job over to John Simpson in 2022.