The Las Vegas Raiders can’t afford to put off the right tackle position at this year’s NFL Draft, and there are some elite options out there.
The Las Vegas Raiders could go defense in the first round if they so desired, and most fans wouldn’t be upset. This is especially true considering the need within their defensive line’s interior, and they could always use another cornerback as well. Regardless, if you’ve paid attention to the Raiders’ offense this season, you know that it’s far from perfect.
Yes, the unit has found cohesiveness in the last few weeks, especially in opening up lanes for running back Josh Jacobs. Be that as it may, the priority should continue to be protecting franchise quarterback Derek Carr. This is where Penning comes in.
The six-foot-seven and 321-pound monster hails from Clear Lake, Iowa, and attended the University of Northern Iowa. He might not be a household name, but he’s quickly gaining buzz across mock drafts and big boards. Playing for a relatively small school has its downsides, and one of those is that you may fly under the radar in your college career.
Nevertheless, Penning was a finalist for the Walter Payton Award this past year and was invited to the Reese’s Senior Bowl. Big picture-wise, Penning’s unit allowed only 36 sacks last season and had several accolades bestowed upon him. Most notably, he was named to the 2021 Associated Press All-America Football team.
One thing that impresses out of the gate in his various film highlights is his movement. He’s light on his feet and his movement is fluid for his size, which, by the way, is perfect for his position. He’s a true mauler. You can clearly see him holding his own in pass protection. Even though the level of competition might concern some, he has the tools to be molded into a high-caliber starting NFL tackle, especially under the guidance of, say, Tom Cable.
His hips and lower body strength are noteworthy as he drives through defenders, opening up running lanes.
NFL Draft: Raiders need OT Trevor Penning in the 1st Round
Carr needs better protection, make Penning the pick in April
Unless something drastic occurs, Carr will be the Raiders’ starting quarterback in 2022. This means that fine-tuning the offensive line needs to take precedent. The left side of the ball is set with Kolton Miller, but the right tackle spot was a mess in 2021. None of the players that started at the position are viable long-term answers.
Even though Alex Leatherwood was drafted to fill the position, he will likely be the team’s starting right guard next season. Penning could perhaps come in and be the Day 1 starter. Granted, he isn’t perfect, but he would have more upside than, say, Brandon Parker.
When I mentioned that Penning isn’t perfect, I wasn’t lying. One big concern in his film is that he gets up quickly from his stance. This could be a big problem when facing NFL-level pass rushers on the outside. This could be especially troublesome in the AFC West, which is home to so many vaunted pass rushers.
Like any deficiency, though, this can be corrected with coaching and experience. Luckily for Penning, this red flag is outweighed by his hands and ability to use raw strength in manhandling edge defenders, as the Draft Network pointed out.
NFL Draft: Raiders need OT Trevor Penning in the 1st Round
Small school stigma be damned
Just because Penning attended a small school doesn’t mean he doesn’t have big-time potential as an NFL prospect. A noticeable attribute in his work is his mauler streak. He’s a bully. He’s the type of player that would make the old-school Raiders proud. Coming into the pros, Las Vegas won’t have to worry about beefing up Penning either.
He’s strong, so strong you can see him hold off defenders with just one arm. That’s downright scary.
Yes, he gets up too quickly at times, but he can anticipate speed very well, especially in pass protection. He also has noticeable length for his frame, a huge bonus since tackles with shorter arms tend to struggle when coming into the NFL. His motor also stands out; play after play, you see him finishing defenders until they’re on the ground, more so in the run game.
In college, he was a starter at left tackle but should be able to move to the opposite side. He has too many natural traits to not succeed.
Many fans want the Raiders to select the best defensive player available in April. On the contrary, they should be begging their team to pick up the right tackle. Yes, Leatherwood did not deliver, but how much of that was the organization’s overreaching with the pick?
Penning has the tools and natural ability to be a starting tackle out of the gate. Enough is enough. The Raiders need to stop addressing the right tackle spot by just patching it up. It’s time to lay a real foundation. Penning is exactly that.