Early prediction for the 2022 Raiders offensive and defensive line
Early prediction for the 2022 Raiders offensive and defensive line
Offensive Line
- Kolton Miller
- John Simpson
- Andre James
- Denzelle Good
- Alex Leatherwood
- Brandon Parker
- Dylan Parham
- Jermaine Eluemunor
- Alex Bars
The biggest question for the Las Vegas Raiders offensive line is who will start at right tackle. Leatherwood and Parker are battling it out for that position, but signs point to Leatherwood being the favorite due to his draft position and working with the first-team offensive line in minicamp.
The second question is who will start at the guard position opposite Denzelle Good. The best bet right now seems to be John Simpson, who started 17 games last season and has worked with the group for much of minicamp, however, there’s a high chance Parham can supplement him at some point.
Miller, James, and Good are all locks to start if their health permits.
Parham will make the team as the Raiders’ highest-drafted player as will Parker due to his experience and contract. The final two spots are being decided by Jermaine Eluemunor and Alex Bars who are looking to hold off Jackson Barton, Lester Cotton, Thayer Munford, and Hroniss Grasu.
Cotton has been getting first-team work during minicamp, but I can’t see them deciding to keep him over Parham, the team’s 3rd round pick, or Eluemunor due to his versatility. Eluemunor’s versatility is what pushed him ahead of Munford, Barton, and Cotton for me because he can play 4 positions on the offensive line.
Bars was my final pick simply due to his salary. Bars is the 5th highest-paid offensive lineman on the roster and McDaniels and Ziegler clearly had a role in mind for him. I’d personally keep another one of those players for upside purposes, but the team is high on Bars. Grasu will succeed in the backup center position to Parham. Munford, Cotton, and undrafted, uber-talented rookie free agent Bamidele Olaseni seem all but destined to be on the practice squad.