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Raiders: Reviewing the options at the right tackle position

By Alexander Monfreda

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 13: Alex Leatherwood #70 of the Las Vegas Raiders exits the fields after warming up ahead of the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Allegiant Stadium on September 13, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 13: Alex Leatherwood #70 of the Las Vegas Raiders exits the fields after warming up ahead of the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Allegiant Stadium on September 13, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images) /
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 05: Offensive tackle Brandon Parker #75 of the Las Vegas Raiders is introduced before a game against the Washington Football Team at Allegiant Stadium on December 05, 2021, in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Washington Football Team defeated the Raiders 17-15. (Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 05: Offensive tackle Brandon Parker #75 of the Las Vegas Raiders is introduced before a game against the Washington Football Team at Allegiant Stadium on December 05, 2021, in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Washington Football Team defeated the Raiders 17-15. (Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images) /

Raiders: Reviewing the options at the right tackle position

Brandon Parker

The second option comes in the form of a re-signing; The replacement right tackle for Alex Leatherwood during the latter half of the ’21 season, Brandon Parker. If Leatherwood isn’t the man to start at right tackle, Parker has the next best chance.

As much as Leatherwood struggled last season, Parker was just as bad, if not worse. 2021 rookie Alex Leatherwood allowed 8 sacks in 17 starts, on 1,105 snaps. Parker allowed 8 sacks as well, on only 882 snaps. In addition, the right tackle committed 9 penalties last season.

Parker was drafted in the third round during the 2018 NFL draft, along with left tackle Kolton Miller in the first. While Kolton was drafted to be the team’s immediate left tackle, the Raiders hoped Parker would be his partner on the right side after the Donald Penn era.

The Penn era wasn’t finished yet, as the former left tackle switched to the right side after Miller was selected in the first round of the ’18 NFL draft. However, Penn suffered a season-ending injury early in the year, giving Parker his first chance at playing time. Parker would finish the game, and start the remaining 12 that season.

Parker earned a PFF grade of 55.8 this last season, which is not only the highest of his four-year career but the only time he’s made it out of the 40s. So, what would make me believe Parker has such a high chance of grabbing the [starting] right tackle job? The answer is in his new contract.

This off-season, general manager Dave Ziegler and Parker agreed on a one-year, $3.5M deal to keep Parker around for the upcoming year. This is not the kind of money you typically dish out willingly on your backup right tackle. In fact, this number ranks 18th in the NFL for the right tackle salaries, and number one for backups, if you consider teammate Alex Leatherwood the favorite.

Given this number, it’s clear both McDaniels and Ziegler see something in Parker moving forward but is it enough to grab the starting job?

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