Las Vegas Raiders: Predicting the All-AFC West offense in 2021
By Alex Perl
Las Vegas Raiders: Predicting the All-AFC West offense in 2021
Offensive Line
LT: Orlando Brown Jr, Kansas City Chiefs
The Raiders were until recently knocking on the door here with Kolton Miller, but then Orlando BrownJr. appeared. The Kansas City Chiefs traded for the disgruntled former Baltimore Ravens star this offseason, who, at 25-years-old is already a two-time pro bowler. Protecting the blind side of Pat Mahomes is probably one of the most vital in football, and Brown is certainly up to the task.
Kolton Miller should improve significantly this season for the Raiders coming off a newly-minted extension, but he, unfortunately, is not in the same league currently as Brown Jr.
LG: Joe Thuney, Kansas City Chiefs
Well, here we are in familiar territory once again with another Chiefs player, but it is deserved. The division is rather weak at this position when looking at the Denver Broncos, Raiders (Richie Incognito is a question mark), and Los Angeles Chargers.
The Chiefs struggled with health on their offensive line in 2020, which was apparent in their Super Bowl loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Chiefs added Thuney this offseason in a lucrative deal that saw the former Pro Bowl guard leave the New England Patriots after five seasons.
Entering his prime at the age of 28, Thuney should improve the Chiefs line significantly, and could be in store for another pro bowl season.
C: Corey Linsley, Los Angeles Chargers
It is not too often a team can add an All-Pro player in the offseason, but this is what the Chargers achieved in signing Corey Linsley from the Green Bay Packers. The Chargers added the 2020 All-Pro in a deal that made him the highest-paid center in the league, and it is a win-win for Linsley and the Chargers, who have had more than a few bad years of inconsistent offensive line play.
With the departure of long-time Raider Rodney Hudson this offseason, the battle for Linsley to be crowned the best center in the division was an easy one.
RG: Graham Glasgow, Denver Broncos
The pick here was a tough one, as Denzelle Good of the Raiders could be in store for another big season with higher expectations placed on his shoulders this season, or veteran Kyle Long for the Chiefs could bounce back from not only being away from the sport for a season but also his recent injury.
We will go with the safer pick here in Graham Glasgow. After signing a lucrative deal with the Broncos in 2020, he had a solid if not unspectacular first season in Denver which resulted in a stint on the Covid-19 list. With a full bill of health, Glasgow should bounce back in Denver and repay the Broncos heavily on their investment.
RT: Bryan Bulaga, Los Angeles Chargers
If any position on this list should come with an asterisk, it should be this one. Bulaga had a disappointing first season in LA after spending ten seasons in Green Bay, but this was not due to talent, but health. Bulaga dealt with an assortment of injuries in 2020, and at the age of 32, this is very concerning.
Nonetheless, this is where Bulaga wins by near default. No team in the division is particularly strong at the right tackle position.
The Raiders are fielding a rookie at right tackle in Alex Leatherwood, the Chiefs are starting journeyman Mike Remmers and the Broncos are starting solid tackle, Bobby Massie. This leaves Bulaga as the de facto prize here at right tackle, if healthy he could really be quite a difference-maker for the Chargers this season.