Raiders: 3 edge-of-the-roster players to keep an eye on

Raiders: 3 edge-of-the-roster players to keep an eye on

Lester Cotton Sr.

Lester Cotton Sr. is a massive guard who went undrafted in the 2019 draft out of Alabama, a school notorious for producing top-level offensive line talent. Cotton signed with the Raiders following the draft and has spent 2019 and 2021 on the practice squads with minimal active roster duty, appearing for six career snaps.

Cotton has once again signed this offseason to continue his development and it looks to be paying off.

Throughout OTAs and minicamp, Cotton has been receiving the majority of the first-team reps at guard with Denzelle Good rehabbing from his torn ACL. Cotton is clearly now in the mix for the position battle with Good, John Simpson, Dylan Parham, Jermaine Elumenor, and Alex Leatherwood.

If Cotton can continue to show his skills and athleticism, Good could slide over to left guard and Cotton could continue to see starter reps. The fact that Cotton is already ahead of Parham, Elumenor, and Leatherwood on the guard depth chart bodes well for him.

Leatherwood has been working mostly at tackle this offseason which also helps Cotton’s chances. At Alabama, Cotton started at both guard spots, so the position versatility is there as well.