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Raiders: 3 players ready to take a leap forward in 2022

By Nicholas Yacenko

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 06: (EDITORS NOTE - This image has been converted to black and white) Oakland Raiders helmet is seen on the field after the game between Chicago Bears and Oakland Raiders at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 06, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 06: (EDITORS NOTE - This image has been converted to black and white) Oakland Raiders helmet is seen on the field after the game between Chicago Bears and Oakland Raiders at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 06, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images) /
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Dec 20, 2021; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Las Vegas Raiders offensive tackle Brandon Parker (75) and guard Alex Leatherwood (70) at the line of scrimmage against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 20, 2021; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Las Vegas Raiders offensive tackle Brandon Parker (75) and guard Alex Leatherwood (70) at the line of scrimmage against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports /

Raiders: 3 players ready to take a leap forward in 2022

Alex Leatherwood or Brandon Parker

This potential breakout is a two-parter. Both Brandon Parker and Alex Leatherwood are battling to be the starting right tackle opposite of Kolton Miller. Parker has been widely disappointing in his first four NFL seasons, but he represented an upgrade over Leatherwood last season..

Parker was extremely raw coming out of the draft and clearly has the physical tools and work ethic to develop into a good starter. Parker is probably already one of the 32 best right tackles in the NFL simply due to the lack of talent at the position.

The new staff clearly thought he had potential due to his new $3.5 million signing this offseason.

Leatherwood struggled mightily as a rookie but has mentioned that the game began to slow down for him towards the end of the season. He has the talent and size to be a good player and was hindered by a lack of technique and experience.

Both Parker and Leatherwood should benefit from a new coaching staff. Former offensive line coach Tom Cable has a history of depleting NFL offensive lines, and despite his success with Kolton Miller, no lineman drafted under Cable has performed well.

New offensive line coach Carmen Bricello should be able to get more out of Parker and truly develop Leatherwood. Bricello had worked under legendary offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia and he could be a major factor this season.

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